Soccer is a competitive team sport revolving around 11 players on a field battling against another team. During the opening year of Panther Creek High School, only 23 players, made up of juniors, sophomores and freshman, had tried out for the team. Like any-other sport, injuries happen, and players come and go. As not only an opening school but an opening team, this program had to start a legacy for the culture of the team that future players can learn and act by. Now that the class of 2024 have graduated, it’s up to now seniors and rest veterans on the team to continue to build this legacy and grow this culture for future players to come.
To help continue to keep the legacy and culture alive, everyone on the team should be on the same page.” I think we’re just trying to kind of get some chemistry and connection so we can replace the ones that we lost from last year”. Sophomore Aiden Lynch, Varsity center back. Once a high standard is set, it is important to make sure everyone withholds it together too, even if you are new or if you are a veteran.
The class of 24’s seniors set not only a high standard for the culture of the team, but for the ethics and skill set. “I think we’re gonna do a lot better.I think the talent pool has stayed similar, even though we lost some key players.” Sophomore Ethan Osinowo, Varsity Striker / winger . Just as the team last year was great, lots of players believe that the future team could have lots of good talent. With the right amount of practice and chemistry, this team can be just as great or maybe even better!
With the upcoming season starting in a few months, not only do the players have to believe in themselves, their coaches need to believe in them as well. When we asked Varsity assistant / Junior Varsity Coach Marcano how he wanted this season to be different then last season, he stated:” I want this year to be different from last year by seeing both teams accomplish their goals and continuing building a legacy.” A legacy cannot be created by just the players because it is something that the coaches should be able to watch and contribute to for it to grow.
Not only being the current head coach but the opening school head coach means that you not only help set the teams standards, but you also hold the team accountable when they go below it. “The culture was great last year. Our seniors were captains for two years. And so really it’s about these guys that are here continuing with that culture and, you know, hopefully building upon that legacy that was left.” Head Varsity Coach McBride. Along with this, the teams have been participating in lots of team bonding activities so the team is as close as possible before the season starts. It’s great to win, but it’s better to win together.
Although we are all very excited for this soccer season, and more excited to see this team strive on the field, we had one general question that we not only had to ask the players but the coaches too. “What team are you excited to play/ or watch your team play and why?” “ I am most excited to play Aubrey and Celina since they are our rivals.” Sophomore Fabian Davalos, Varsity Left wing. Obviously they understand the hype and competitiveness of these games, but do the coaches feel the same?” I think our players get most excited to play against Celina and Aubrey. So I would say I’m most excited for those games just to watch them get hype and compete against, you know, those rivals.” Varsity Head Coach McBride. Once the players are excited for a game, the fans should be just excited! Rivalry games are not only fun to watch but to compete in. However, we should not only be supporting soccer during these games, we should be sporting all of our sports teams during their rivalry games!
Panther Creek is a well known school in 4A Division I, and like the other schools sports, we should see just as many fans in the stands. The soccer team has accomplished so much over the past 2 seasons, and there will be so much more in the future.
