The 2020-21 boys and girls soccer season is coming to a close, and it’s definitely one for the books. This year, Hawks Soccer competes in the 6A division after competing in 5A last year and having their season cut off due to COVID-19.
Regarding the girls soccer team last season, they were the first seed going into playoffs and were ready to play their final district game until COVID-19 came around. With COVID-19, it was considered unsafe to play.
“6A is definitely more challenging, and so we’re battling it and we’re still in the first round so we’ll really have to fight to have a playoff spot this year,” Lady Hawks Head Coach Huntington said. “We’re definitely filled with fuel because of the disappointment from last year, we were in such a good position to go to the playoffs and we feel like that was taken away from us, so the girls definitely have motivation to fight for another playoff spot.”
Along with Coach Huntington, the players also felt affected by COVID-19 and hitting 6A.
“Being district champs two years in a row, we were hoping to hit 6A hard at the start of the season. But with our top two goal scorers out at the beginning of our season, it definitely gave us a disadvantage. However, the way we played never changed. This team would always fight to the very last minute and would play with heart, passion, and emotion.” Senior varsity player Aleah Montes said.
Montes has played in THE NEST since we opened in 2017, and recently signed to commit after she graduates.
“I actually just signed to play for A&M San Antonio on March 15th! When I enter as a freshman, that will be the school’s first soccer season so I’m really excited to help build yet another program from the start,” Montes said.
As she looks forward to playing for A&M, she’ll deeply miss playing as a Hawk.
“I’m going to miss my teammates the most for sure. I love playing with them but most importantly I love bonding with them during and outside of practice. Right now I am also missing the bus rides and messing around on the bus after games. Due to COVID-19, the coaches have us get our own rides to and from games, meaning we didn’t ride the bus together once this year and those bus rides are a real bonding experience,” Montes describes.
With COVID-19 playing a part in this soccer season, there are many restrictions, like no bus transportation as Montes described. Masks have to be worn at practice and game warm-ups, health screenings must be filled out before every practice and game, and players stay socially distanced while benched.
“It’s a little different. Everyone is more cautious when they’re not in practice because it sucks to quarantine for two weeks even if you do not have COVID, but are still exposed to it. We’ve had multiple girls quarantine once or twice, meaning they missed 2-4 weeks which stinks because you know they are hungry to play.” Montes said. “It’s been hard having to adjust to COVID guidelines, but we all happily apply to them to get the opportunity to play.”
Regarding the boys varsity soccer team, they recently finished district play and were announced district champions. They will now be proceeding to the playoffs.
“Overall we are 19-1, but for district we are 15-0, which has us undefeated in district” Boys Varsity Captain Cameron Burleson said.
According to Burleson, he felt the team chemistry click the first time the Hawks played Brennan.
“In our first district game against Brennan, we came out straight from the start and played our best game. We beat them 5-0” Burleson said.