The boys are hard at work as they prepare for the upcoming season, which begins in December. After finishing last season with four wins and placing ninth in the district, the team is determined to improve their performance. 

Last year’s results meant they did not qualify for the playoffs, but the players are focused on turning things around this season.

“In my opinion, discipline would go a long way and it’s good that our coaches are already working on it,”  junior varsity player Francisco Aguilera said.

He believes that addressing this issue is crucial for the team’s success.

“I really think that once that issue is out the way, our team will get better at working together as one,” Aguilera said. 

Starting a new season means facing new obstacles and setting short-term goals for many of the young soccer athletes. For individual players like senior Justin Nizeyimana, personal and team objectives are clear.

“My main goals for this season are to help the team make it to the playoffs and make our coach proud,” Nizeyimana said. 

“I want to do better now than last season to play as a team more,” Nizeyimana said.

With the predictions and hopes for a better season this year, the boys are more determined than ever to give it their all and leave everything on the field. Looking ahead, players like senior Hassan Salih share his predictions for the season.

“My prediction for the season is we will see competitions among other teams with unexpected thrills and overturns,” Salih said. “But I hope for an exciting season with many wins.” 

Coach Peterson believes strengthening the defensive line will boost the team’s goals scoring abilities and this will have a massive impact on the team’s overall performance. 

“Last year we gave up too many goals off of mistakes. We need to be more disciplined in the defending third,” Peterson said. “We also need to be more dangerous in the attack, and have more possessions in the opponent’s half. This will lead to more goals and less pressure in our defending third. If we do these, it will lead to more wins.”