SOCCER

Boys soccer team forms brotherhood both on, off field Dailey Jackson • Managing Editor

Istood in the middle of a circle of boys soccer players.

“And then we-” a boy to my left said, “curved it across the field, right under their feet!”

My questions reached deaf ears, overcome by the crowd beginning to form around me.

“Let the girl talk,” the boy next to him fired back.

What started as a simple interview had devolved into a yelling match between players, each competing to tell his own story of how the recent victory occurred.

They interrupt one another yet again: “Did you see that shot!”

A fit of laughter and cheers erupts among them as they support their female counterparts competing against a rival on the field.

Like the flip of a switch, the boys varsity soccer team returned to the interview once again, now discussing their weekend plans together and how exactly they wanted to “send it” during their next game.

This carefree yet committed attitude while being together also applies to the boys’ season this year. The boys soccer team began its season with a win against Ridgeview on Nov. 12 and has continued to compete against schools in northeast Florida, including Osceola, Nease, Ponte Vedra and Columbia. On Feb. 8 the boys defeated Yulee High School to win the district championship and then on Feb. 15 defeated Suwannee High School to advance to the regional finals. Not only have these games allowed the team to improve their athletic abilities, but they have also learned to bond over their hard work.

Captain Mark Khadour enjoys the family atmosphere that has evolved because of their success.

“My favorite memory was the Nease game when we all played well as a team and got a lot closer,” Khadour said.

Both on and off the field, the players spend time with each other to help the team grow closer.

Senior Ethan Mohr, goalkeeper, says that the group ensures that everyone is always having a good time together by hanging out with each other outside of school on a weekly basis.

“We are always enthusiastic and there’s never a single moment where someone isn’t cracking a joke or having fun,” Mohr said. “I think we are all really closely knit and sometimes, like with my club team, there are little cliques, but with us, we are really just one big group.”

Striker and center mid Senior Jack Wilkinson looks forward to watching everyone work together.

“I think that we are all very good across the board, and we have a lot of talent on the team,” Wilkinson said. “Though we may be tough on each other at times, we all just want what’s best for each other and the team as a whole.”

Many varsity players have been playing soccer for nearly a decade and have trained on a recreational or club team in the past.

Senior Christian Hernandez, one of the team captains, has played the sport since he was seven years old. “I remember when I was really young playing on a team, and my dad was the coach,” Hernandez said. “I practiced every day to try and make him proud.”

Mohr has participated on a soccer team since he was five and now plays on both the BK soccer team and a club team outside of school.

“I’ve always been an active kid, like being in shape, but the fear of being average has always motivated me,” Mohr said.

Psychology and sociology teacher Matthew Case has been coaching soccer at Bishop Kenny for 10 years, including six years as the junior varsity coach and three years as varsity coach. Case notices a difference in this year’s team as they strive for improvement both in their personal skills and the team ranking.

“The want to win has never been in question,” Case said. “Everyone on the team has a true desire to be successful.”

Though the team primarily focuses on future success, Case ensures that the players think about more than just the game, instead focusing on the family unit and supporting one another.

“I foresee the players learning that winning games is not the most important thing,” Case said. “Hopefully they realize that losing a game is not the end of the world and that they can still be successful even if they don’t win every single game.”

After defeating Arnold High School on Feb. 19, the team moved onto the state semifinals against Mariner High School, a game which it lost 5-2.

CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: Senior Mark Khadour and Sophomore Martin Pineiros battle it out during a scrimmage between the junior varsity and varsity teams. David Pepaj sets up behind the opposing team as he takes a penalty kick. Senior Tony Ledesma and Patrick Szwed dribble the ball between each other. Wilkinson passes his teammates and races towards the ball in an attempt to make a shot. The team watches as Matthew Case demonstrates the procedure for a warm up at their daily 3:45-5:30 p.m. practice. Senior Jack Wilkinson and Sean Meisler smile together during a break at practice. Andrew Pia and Rafael Montalvo prepare themselves for the oncoming ball after a goal kick from Ethan Mohr.