The soccer season has just begun and the two teams, boys and girls, aspire to achieve new goals and push themselves farther than ever before.
The girls soccer season started out well, which helped support their playoff dreams. The team united as a strong front, supporting each other and pushing the team to its greatest extent
“We are having an excellent year so far,” Coach Stacy McPherson said. “The team is working well together and improving every game. We are currently 7-1 and 1-0 in District. We had an excellent showing in both tournaments, competing against very strong teams.”
The season started long before the team entered the field. Each player decided to hold themselves accountable for their success, doing whatever they needed to feel ready for games.
“I’m preparing for the upcoming season by getting mentally and physically ready by staying consistent with practice, lifting and stretching,” junior Reagen Neely said. “Also, making sure I’m in the right headspace with God and ready for ups and downs that may come… I expect to do well in the district and advance in the playoffs.”
The girls’ team strengthened itself for the season through relationships both off and on the field.
“We all support each other and want the best for the team, creating a hopeful environment for this season,” junior Sofia Pepper said. “Our team this year is a tight-knit group. This allows us to enjoy the time we spend out there on the soccer field. We perform well individually but even better as a team.”
They all have positive views on how the season will pick up as it goes along. However, they will all need to band together to achieve their current playoff goal.
“It will take everyone on the team to get us past regionals,” McPherson said. “No longer are we the underdog in our region and in the playoffs, we are now the standard and that standard means getting back to regionals this year, and hopefully getting into the state semifinals.”
Coach Michael Brasher also spoke highly of his boys soccer team. For many of the varsity players, it is their first year in the top team, with little kinks to work out. Regardless, they have proven themselves worthy by fighting hard at District.
“This year’s team has a good teamwork attitude,” Brasher said. “These young men can win the District if they put their minds to it and believe in each other”
The boys also felt like their season started off well. They all spoke highly of each other and the team’s bond runs deep.
“I think our team is doing very well,” senior Tomas Pepper said. “We are always giving 100% at practice and believing in each other. I love everyone on the team and I’m playing for them.”
Every team, no matter how connected they are off the field, should still be aware of where they could improve.
“I’m always trying to make sure the team is in a good mood,” sophomore Hiader Alfanhari said. “ We started off the season really well, and I think we can make the playoffs. We can all communicate a little bit more; there are times in practice when we just don’t talk, and communication is key, but we all have good chemistry. We all know each other and we’ve all played with each other before.”
The soccer season has kicked into action and has hit the ground running. No matter what obstacles they face, they all aim to give 100%.
“Our team does well by fighting to win,” Sofia Pepper said. “Our standard is very high, and we do not accept defeat against a team. This high standard is what has allowed us to go so far last year and hopefully again this year.”
