The boys varsity soccer team won the Hacienda League in January, making it their fourth league win in a row. As they headed into CIF coaches and players were asked to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses.
The coaches explained how the team struggled defensively and how they had been making too many mistakes which led to them conceding more than they liked. But they worked hard in practices and have had a couple classroom sessions to try and resolve those issues. Even though they still struggled, the team knew they still had to keep moving forward.
“It’s a family here. Everyone feels a part of the team. I think we got a lot of guys that don’t like to give up and don’t take losing for an answer,” coach Demitrios Burgos said.
Burgos commented that this team has had a warrior mentality throughout the season when it came to winning. They didn’t give up or slow down until the final whistle blew. All of the coaches agreed this was one of the best qualities of the team and this was what has made them successful. Coach Jorge Chavez shared some characteristics about the team that stood out.
“Brotherhood and then just the way the team never gives up. Whether we’re losing, whether we’re winning, just keep playing from the beginning to the end,” Chavez said.
Although the coaches believed that the team struggled defensively, they had a team who didn’t like to give up. The coaches also believed they had a well balanced team with little to no major injuries throughout the season. But despite the struggles, coach Victor Aguilar commented on some strengths.
“Offensively we’re great. Offensively I believe we can keep up and beat everybody,” Aguilar said.
One of the team captains, Isaiah Gallardo (11) believed the team was really good at moving the ball but he still thought there were things they still needed to work on.
“It all starts in practice where we start communicating and playing together,” Gallardo said.
Another team captain, Roberto Barajas (11) believed the best qualities of the team were how they all got along and worked together like a brotherhood.
“I still think that we could still reach another level but I think we just got to pass more and work as a team more,” Barajas said.
Brendan Arellano (12), another team captain, believed that they struggled with consistency but he said they were a good overall team.
“I think we’re good tactically. We just need to clean up the little things here and there,” Arellano said.
Arellano said that the team got along well together, even in school they tried to hang out together and they worked well as a team. Arellano believed that playing two games a week was tough but he thought everyone on the team could have played when they got their opportunity.
“I think we could go as far as we mentally think we can go. In my opinion we could win the whole thing [CIF], but that’s up to the team,” Arellano said.
Unfortunately the team was eliminated from CIF on February 7 with a score of 2-3 in double overtime. It was an emotional loss for many of the players, especially the seniors. Although it was a successful season with winning the Hacienda League, the team did not accomplish what they wanted, which was to go far in CIF.
