After losing only one starter from last year’s team, the boys’ varsity soccer team has made significant improvements. With a winning record of 11-3-1, the boys have shown that they are one of the most competitive teams in the Ivy League. However, this winning season did not come easy. Facing adversity with the loss of eight starters throughout the season, they have struggled to win most of their games.
Senior captain Zach Morant admits that “our team’s success has really been down to one thing: morale.” Zach reveals that “of all my four years here, the team has had the best morale this year, everyone gets along and it’s a lot of fun.”
Team morale can make or break a season, and in the case of this years boys’ soccer team, it has helped them in overcoming most of their competition. A close team can overcome any obstacle that comes in their way, and they push each other to improve. “Any good team needs good team morale,” Zach said.
Likewise, senior captain Ian Mook finds that “the team is much more tight-knit than it has been in years past.”
The team’s success cannot just be attributed to the players, but the coaches too. Of Coach Gillard, Ian said, “he recognizes that we have much more experienced players on the team than in past years and as a result, we play a lot more possessively.”
The team’s style of play has changed in more ways than one. Ian finds that “we used to count on kicking through balls and crosses, but this year we are able to work the ball around more and are able to score in a number of different ways.” Having different plans of attack based on how one’s opponent plays is a key element to any team. This year, the team has been hard to stop because their skill allows them to attack from any angle.
Unfortunately, the team has suffered many injuries throughout the season. They have lost many key players including Zach Morant, Levi Morant, and Sam Rinzler, all of whom are starters. In fact, Levi attributes the team’s losses to the lack of starting players. “In past games with them out we have been able to lock it out in the back, but it will be a big challenge,” Ian said.
Injuries have completely reshaped the starting lineup and even more, the season, for the boys’ team. However, the attitude remains positive and as the team continues to push forward they are remaining at the top of the league. “We enjoy ourselves while we play,” Zach said. “We are all friends.”
