Written by Tim Sun
After losing their six top goal scorers, boys’ soccer struggled through a tough season. Many athletes went down with injuries as the season progressed and at one point the boys played without their entire starting defensive back line.
Despite early struggles, the team grew together and bonded after games, analyzing their efforts in order to improve in the future. The presence of many seniors further improved the camaraderie of the group. “We all know it’s our last year so we’re sharing it with everyone,” senior Seena Huang said. Head coach Ken Luis has seen his seniors mature and enjoys watching the end of a long run for the graduating players. “Most of the seniors have played on the same club team since middle school, so for them, it’s kind of a culmination,” Luis said. “It’s neat to see them stick together and play together for a long time.”
Toward the end of the season, the return of injured players lifted the spirit of the team and Huang believes players concentrated more. “Getting everyone back gave us a morale boost and it helped with our confidence since we were more invested in the team,” he said.
With more key players back on the field, the Titans were able to get their first win of the season in the tough De Anza League of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. Co-captain and goalie senior Denis Vaschencko thinks the team grew during the year despite rough spots, and the win was a result of their hard work. “Getting the first win gave us energy and brought us together as a team,” he said.
Going forward, the team’s future is bright as many underclassmen are set to return next year. “We have four freshmen on varsity, and they’ve been growing all season and doing a good job,” Luis said.
