The last bell rings signaling the end of the school day, but for the soccer players, it means it’s time to get to work. From 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the boys’ soccer team practices their passing, shooting and the build up of their strength in the weight room to prepare for the next game. The players constantly encourage each other to do better in practice and games. According to new assistant coach Michael Keel, the team has worked very hard to improve.
“When we first started, some of them couldn’t even lift the bar,” Mr. Keel said, “but this group of boys are really willing to work.”
The locker room is hectic before games; everyone has something to talk about; they are changing and mentally preparing for what lies ahead. Every seat is taken on the bus and the athletes are getting in the zone to play. Once they arrive, they warm up, pray and break out. After that, the game finally begins.
“When we lose, they don’t really yell at us because they know we tried our hardest,” sophomore Timothy Jones said.
When the team loses, the next day at practice, the coaches discuss the errors from the game and find ways to fix them to prevent the same mistakes next game. By doing so, fixing problems becomes easier for the team.
“I like soccer this year because everything the coaches do in practice is for a reason,” Jones said. “It’s not just dumb stuff to pass the time.”
According to Jones, over the season, the players on the team have grown to be good friends: they are constantly joking with each other in the locker room and at lunch. Friendships like these have made playing together easier. With high hopes of doing well this season, the team works on communication and the roots of what makes a team a team.
“I have to communicate with a lot of people and show good sportsmanship,” sophomore Christian Edomwande said.“It makes me a better person.”
