With fresh players and new assistant coaches, the boys soccer team has had a season of growth.

“A lot of people didn’t know the competition that high school had,” sophomore Caleb Aguilar said. “This season is pretty tough.”

Aguilar said many of his new teammates hadn’t played soccer before high school. 

“A lot of people are figuring out certain roles and certain positions, but I feel as though overall we’re going in progression,” captain junior Jaygen Leach said. “The games have gone well in a sense of our team working together better.”

The team won 1-0 against Arkansas City on Sept. 30, their first win of the season.

“We’ve been training hard, we’ve been working every day,” Aguilar said. “[Our coaches] have been making us more passionate about the game.”

Coach Leonel Alvarado said it’s the love for the game that keeps them motivated.

“It has to start with us at the top,” Alvarado said. “We have to keep face and keep passing the ball, stay motivated, keep working hard.”

Assistant coaches Carlos Loreto and Devon Cooper are new this year.

“[Cooper] has been helping me out with being a better keeper,” goalkeeper senior Izzaiah Douglas said. “I think I have definitely improved since he’s arrived.”

Leach said the coaches have held the team accountable and changed their work ethic and mindset going into games.

“A strength of our team is our camaraderie,” Leach said. “We may not be the best, but at least we like each other. My motivation is my teammates, they are a reason I go out there every day.”

They support and encourage each other to improve, Douglas said.

“We all try to have fun while improving at the same time,” Douglas said. “If you’re playing a sport and you’re not having fun, you probably shouldn’t be doing the sport.”

Mentality is strong this season, Aguilar said.

“I have more passion for the game this year,” Aguilar said. “I want to be motivational [to my teammates].”

Douglas said communication has improved during his time on the team.

“My freshman year, the field used to be quiet from our side,” Douglas said. “You could hear the other team yelling because they were actually communicating.”

There is a good environment on the team this year, Douglas said.

“Every game is a new game, and every day is a new day,” Douglas said. “As Master Oogway once said: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”

Douglas said he expects next season to go well.

“Our juniors are the strongest part of our team right now,” Douglas said. “We have at least one good year in us after this.”

They pray for every game, Douglas said.

“The entire team comes onto the field,” Douglas said. “We all get on our knees in a circle, put our heads down, and pray for the best.”

The team will play El Dorado on Oct. 20, their last game of the season.

“I’m looking forward to the game against El Dorado,” Leach said. “Oh, we’re gonna beat El Dorado.”