The boys soccer team shares their tactics to win a game and their strategies to keep winning the games.

 Players on the team each have their own distinct way to get ready for a game that benefits them.

 “I have been listening to podcasts and learning how to stay calm before, after and during the game. Sometimes during the game when your nerves start to kick in and then you lose. To avoid that I listen to music and podcasts which really helps me,”  sophomore Henry Martinez said

 Having a role model is important to many players since it provides them with motivation which helps them want to keep pushing, but players like Carlos DeJesus recognized that he is his biggest role model.

 “Usually, my biggest inspiration would be Messi because he is my favorite player. But recently I started idolizing myself and becoming more confident in myself as a player. I find this important because no one is going to push you and motivate you as much as yourself because you know what you are capable of, and you know what you want to achieve so, I feel like idolizing yourself is always going to be the first step to going as far as you want to go,” senior captain Carlos DeJesus stated.

Although the team won their first game, they still believe there is room for improvement. They believe that there are various attributes that they can perfect before the next game.

“It was a pretty easy it was nothing too hard, going in we knew we were going to win because we played against this school before. But we still could have improved on certain things like somehow, we always stoop down to the other team level instead of playing at out level so we really have to improve on staying at our level so we do not stoop down to the other teams’ level so we can win easier,” junior Anthony DeJesus addressed.

Managing being an athlete and a student can be a challenge. Sebastian Martinez has created strategies that he finds useful to help balance being a student-athlete.

“I try to focus on school on every bit of free time I can because the moment I leave school it is pretty hard to do schoolwork so at school I try to focus on homework every bit of free time I get,” sophomore Sebastian Martinez explained.

Everyone has their own reasons for joining a sport whether it is their passion or confidence for the game. But for Maalik Calvin the game is a family legacy that he would love to continue.

“Soccer runs in my family, everyone in my family like my uncle, dad, cousin has played soccer before, so it is like I am continuing something bigger than myself,” Maalik Calvin expressed.

Calvin also stated how being on the team has its benefits. He explains how being on the team lifts up his spirit and helps him improve as an athlete.

 “I love all of my teammates every time we are in practice, and I mess up my team doesn’t leave a burden on me. For example, instead of saying you messed up, you’re not good they would help me to become better,” Calvin stated.

Having the position of captain can be a big responsibility due to the fact that you must keep your team in check at all times to increase your chances of winning. For example, team captain Mateo Pardo has a large task of keeping all of his fellow teammates in line.

“Being captain my job is to keep everyone in check especially on schoolwork because this year our coach is very big on like if you don’t keep your grades up in school you are not playing so I have been keeping a lot of the kids in check on the field and off the field. But this year most of them have kept their grades up and I feel like I am on top of those who have the lowest grades, I am always on top of them, and they have changed their behavior ever since the soccer season started,” senior captain Mateo Pardo addressed.

The soccer team this year has a total of 10 seniors on the team. This is one of the years where they have the most seniors on the team possible, which can be a huge advantage for the team and for DeJesus this is motivation to excel in the season.

“I feel like it is a great opportunity because we have the most chance this is like our last chance its either we do it or we don’t so I feel like some may see it as extra pressure but I see it as motivation, I feel like we are going to do it,” DeJesus explained.