By Adam Frank
Head Coach: John Conte
Captains: Sam Walkes, Ryan Treviño, Charles Parker
The boys’ soccer team is ready to hit the fields with both ambition and desire. The team is eager to move on from last year’s disappointing season.
Senior captain Ryan Treviño believes an important step towards a successful future is to come to terms with last year’s unsatisfying season.
“The biggest thing for us going into the summer was just to accept the poor season we had last year, learn from it and move on,” Treviño said.
Last year, the Lions ended their season well under .500, finishing with only two wins.
This year, though, Treviño recognizes the hard work exhibited and determination displayed by the team.
“I really think the team has come a long way since our very disappointing season last year,” Treviño said. “We did a lot of work over the summer and we are coming into this season more fit and better prepared than we were last year.”
Junior Noah Shuster, a returning varsity player, agrees with Treviño.
“Last season the team, particularly the seniors, didn’t step it up and lead by example, by playing hard,” Shuster said. “This season though, I trust the seniors, and it’s clear they want to work hard in order to win games.”
Shuster and Treviño recognize that this year’s senior class, and team as a whole, is much more devoted.
“There is a greater team mentality amongst this group and we have more desire to achieve this year than previous years,” Treviño said.
Shuster believes the team’s unity and chemistry will benefit the team and help their chances at making the state tournament. The team has shown a lot of skill in the preseason, according to Shuster.
Treviño and Shuster both aspire to qualify for the state tournament.
As for the future, Ryan Treviño is depending on practice and hard work.
“As long as we work hard and stay passionate throughout the season, I think our future is bright,” he said.
A large portion of the year’s team is seniors. Although South will be losing many upperclassmen, Shuster believes there are at least 10 underclassmen who, if work hard, have the skills and talent to be “great varsity athletes if not this year, then the next”.
Most important to the team’s upperclassmen is showing leadership for the underclassmen. Leadership and hard work is best passed on through example, according to Shuster; if executed, the Lions are confident that they can make the state tournament.
The Lions are opening their season at home against the Newton North Tigers this Saturday at noon.
