The Varsity Boys Soccer team started the season with a great deal of uncertainty, having lost 5 senior players to graduation, and without one of their better players down with an injury. But their first game displayed 12 total players who have the heart and determination to push through, despite the odds stacked against them.  “Building years are always good for our kids,” stated Athletic Director, Pam Gibbons, “It builds an increased sense of team unity and an opportunity for the players to really build one another up.”

The team’s opener was last Tuesday, a tough one against a substantially larger and more experienced team from Atlantic Shores, who also had the advantage of being on their home turf. In contrast, WCA had no subs on a 98-degree day.  Some game highlights included some noteworthy saves from Junior Connor Simmons, in his first appearance as goalkeeper, as well as some speedy breakaways from Junior Jalen Vaughan, who launched some rockets at the opposing goal. Vaughan managed to blast one shot to the corner where 8th-grade player Keith Cardenas tapped it in for WCA’s only goal of the game. WCA also saw some aggressive play from Senior Peter Rodenberg, and freshman Ian Chen, as they battled on defense, as well as Junior Jordan Pearson who dodged through defenders to secure some worthy passes to our front line. The team would lose 6-1, but all were encouraged, given that no player had a break, and the lack of playing time that the boys have had together at this point, which is so critical in the sport of soccer.

Coach Jae and the soccer boys have been working very hard to build up endurance at practices and it showed in the boys’ determination to play the entire game with minimal water breaks and timeouts. The next game is Tuesday, September 4^th, away at Gateway Christian.

Thanks to all the parent soccer volunteers who supplied plentiful amounts of Gatorade to keep the boys hydrated!