Boy’s soccer season kicked off Dec. 8 with their first scrimmage of the season. Official matches begin after Christmas Break.

“Last season went well overall,” head soccer coach Samuel Burnside said. “We had some ups and downs, as you do with every season, but it is not where we want to be as a program and a competitive level by any means. These boys want play-offs. They want to compete in our district. We want to make great things happen on the pitch.”

Players have been practicing during their athletic periods by lifting weights, conditioning and by doing drills. Their first official practice began Nov. 27 with try-outs.

“Practices usually consist of a portion of conditioning, a portion of skill work, such as dribbling, passing, control on the ball,” Burnside said. “Then we will wrap-up with a portion of shooting, possession play or a game-like scrimmage.”

To determine which players made varsity, JV and the practice team, the coaches took everything into consideration – such as cardio/stamina, ball control ability, ability to work well with others and many other factors. 

“There’s a lot of competition and you gotta compete for your spot and everything,” freshman Anton Peters said. “But, you just gotta keep on working hard and trying.”

Over the past seasons, the boy’s soccer team have been close to making play-offs and plan to aim higher this season.

“This season our hopes as a team have been to make play-offs ever since the last season ended for us,” Burnside said. “The past two seasons, we have been one place away from play-offs each time. The boys are determined to change that. They are taking it one day, practice and match at a time to help us all achieve that goal!”

Teams were posted Dec. 1 and the players are excited for the season.

“I’m confident we’ve got it,” senior and soccer captain Keaton Black said. “We’ve got really good, really good teams coming up. I was just talking to Coach Gold and he had a lineup written up and our team is looking stacked.”

As the season started, both players and coaches are ready.

“It’s a really exciting time of year,” assistant soccer coach Jonathan Vanliew said. “It’s always kind of bittersweet when we start soccer season because that means football is done. But everytime the guys ask me during football season, are you ready for soccer? I tell them I will be when we’re done with football and now I’m excited for them.”