With a steady start in league, boys’ soccer adjusts to inexperience

Natasha MunasingheStaff WriterSamo boys’ varsity soccer started off with a fickle pre-league season. They had much to work on when it came to team dynamic. Regardless, the team has managed to enter their league with a fairly solid start. So far they have only lost one game and with the players beginning to work better together, they plan to go the distance this season.“For a young team they’re doing pretty well,” Bevington said. “But there is a lack of experience on this team and that hurts their game.”Most of the players have never been on varsity before and according to goalie Eric Stocker (’14), the team’s four defenders are playing with each other for the first time this year.“A major part of soccer is knowing the players around you and what they tend to do,” Stocker said. “The only way to achieve this is by playing more together.”Captain Emmanuel Serrano (’13) sat out for the first month of the preseason due to a broken ankle but has now returned to the field. According to Bevington the injury is still affecting his game and the team.“[Serrano] is not playing like he usually does,” Bevington said. “When the side effects of the injury go away, the team will benefit a lot. He’s no doubt our best player. For now, it’s up to the other guys to step it up.”Despite all of these obstacles, the team has proven they can handle it. Bevington said that the team has been gradually improving every game. Stocker said the improvement is due to the fact that now that league has started, the lineup has become more consistent instead of frequently changing. According to Serrano the team has benefited by having implemented stricter practice schedules.“We've realized we need to be cohesive as a team in order to be successful. It's a fairly new team that's why it took longer than usual to start working together,” Serrano said. “We go over the mistakes over and over again until we know what to do in those situations. We also bring game-like intensity so it's not an unknown feeling on the field when difficult situations are placed in front of us.”The team has so far only lost one game against Morningside. Defender Jaryd Dorsey (’14) attributes the loss to “cockiness.”“We need to be more prepared,” Dorsey said. “We just need to bring our best effort to every game. After the three previous wins we got a little cocky and eased up.”According to Bevington certain players have stepped up to the plate and have been very “solid” in games like Stocker and midfielder Omar Sanchez (’14).“As a junior, I just play my heart out for my team and coaches,” Sanchez said. “I try to show my dedication and expect the team to do the same. We may have some ups and downs but at the end, we are a team.”Sanchez said he is optimistic that league will go well and he said the team has made the right adjustments in order to overcome the stymies presented in the preseason, like Serrano’s injury and the lack of cohesion.According to midfielder and forward Lucas Cintra (’13) the team has certain goals they want to accomplish, such as winning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Midfielder Dylan Jones (’14) said the team hopes to win every home game, make it to at least quarterfinals in CIF and maybe even challenge for finals and win it all.Serrano said the team’s ball movement and rhythm will be hard to beat and will ensure their competitive status.“My hopes are that we win Ocean League,” Serrano said. “I’ve won it the past three years and now as a senior, it would be devastating to lose it. I think this year we could have a go at CIF. I always have hope and I believe in this team.”nmunasinghe@thesamohi.com