Members of the Cainhoy Soccer Club, which aims to  provide recreational soccer to a diverse population aged 3-12, and the Cougars' women's soccer team met children from Ft. Dorchester Elementary and the Mt. Pleasant area to give them a morning of soccer games and drills.

"It was just great seeing the kids get out there," sophomore Hannah Gmerek said. "They may miss the goal 100 times but if they make one it's like the greatest day of their life. Their personalities can brighten your day."

Participants were timed as they dribbled a ball down the field and stopped it using only their feet while members of the Cainhoy Soccer Club and CofC cheered and provided guidance. Following the competition, Charleston and Cainhoy players led the students through a series of drills and finished the day with an awards ceremony.

"We always want to try to get involved as much as possible," assistant coach Mike Barroqueiro said. "It's a really great event for some really great kids and we were so happy to be a part of it."

 Special Olympics of South Carolina partners with several local schools and community organizations to host events such as Wednesday's. This is the first year soccer has been offered through school programs.

All athletes practice for eight weeks before practicing before competition. Wednesday's event included children from ages 6-12.

"They've been so excited for this," Ft. Dorchester Elementary School teacher Rachel Weil said. "We've had a countdown going in our classroom."

Special Olympics of South Carolina hosts their Spring Games, a track & field event that includes over 500 participants, on April 27 at Charleston Southern University.

College of Charleston women's soccer participated in the event as part of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program. The team continues its spring season with an exhibition game against Coastal Carolina tonight at Patriots Point Stadium.