Right Racing for the ball against a Blue Valley player, freshman mid-fielder Jack Lopez tries to gain possession on Thursday, Sept. 2. Lopez learned a lot from the upperclassmen on the team. “They’ve taught me to be a lot more physical,” Lopez said. “It was weird coming in playing against a U18 team from U14.” The team lost 2-1. By Marcia Ebb HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR SEMINAR?
inexperienced UNFAMILIARITY AMONG PLAYERS LEAVES TEAM
W
“Doing homework or walking around the halls if I’m bored.” sophomore Miranda Snyder
ords of criticism and advice yelled by coaches and players echoed across the field in the game against Bonner Springs High School on Thursday, Oct. 7. The team held a 2-1 lead at the end of a physical first half. Entering the second half, Bonner quickly scored a goal of its own, tying the game at 2-2. The players pointed fingers at one another, screaming accusations of blame. At the end of regulation play, the game continued into overtime. The team stopped communicating with each other and passes and shots missed their targets. With tired bodies and high emotions, the players’ words turned vulgar and offensive, resulting in both a yellow card and a red card. After double overtime the game ended in a tie due to several mistakes caused by the presence of individualism and a lack of communication within the team.
“Things have definitely gone wrong when we try to play individually,” senior center midfielderTaylor Reinoehl said. With the team composed mostly of last year’s junior varsity team members, inexperience with each other and at the varsity level left the team facing difficulties. “The team has had some growing pains because they are such a young team at the varsity level,” junior varsity coach Neil Sniffen said. With two starting freshmen, including right midfielder Cody Knight, the team found it difficult to bring together underclassmen and upperclassmen. “We haven’t played together that well,” Knight said. “Considering [this] is the first time we are playing together we have to make those connections.” As the season continued, the team began playing well together with the help of team dinners and
“Sleep, copy homework, and talk to girls.” senior Zee Pultz
Far Left Passing to a teammate, freshman right midfielder Cody Knight aims a kick on Thursday, Oct. 4. The team won 1-0 against Piper at home. “You have to let you body move with the ball,” Knight said. By Allison Weis Top Left Focusing on the ball, senior defensive midfielder Reid Chapman sends it up the field to a teammate on Thursday, Oct. 4. Chapman finished the season with two goals. “I’m focused the entire game because it helps me stay calm when the pressure is on,” Chapman said. By Allison Weis Bottom Left Fighting to pass his opponent, senior midfielder Matt Friesner attempts to score a goal on Monday, Sept. 13. The team lost 3-2 at Bonner Springs. “You get an adrenaline rush when there is an intense situation,” Friesner said. By Allison Weis
“I talk to [senior] Ryan Speer.” senior Jeremy Spalding
Dominant Nearing the goal during the Tonganoxie game on Monday, Sept. 20, senior center mid-fielder Taylor Reinoehl makes a shot. The team had to adjust to Tonganoxie’s field size. “They have a really narrow field,” Reinoehl said. “It’s hard to move the ball around the field, but we played hard and won [2-1].” By Marcia Ebb Right Double teamed as he nears the goal, junior outside mid-fielder Chad Gilmore fights to maintain possession on Thursday, Oct. 7. The team played Bonner Springs for the second time in the season, tied 2-2. “It was a lot different the second game,” Gilmore said. “It was more intense.” By Marcia Ebb Far Right Head coach Arlan Vomhof speaks to the team during halftime of the game against Perry-Lecompton on Thursday, Sept. 16. “[During halftime I usually] point out things they need to correct and things they are doing correctly,” Vomhof said. By Marcia Ebb
socialization off the field. “We are starting to mesh together as the season goes on,” senior co-captain and center midfielder Trace Linton said. “[We] just needed experience with each other and now we are starting to get to know each other.” Reinoehl and Knight both agreed that spending time with teammates off the field assisted them in games. “We’ve grown together,” Reinoehl said. “We all understand our roles more and know each others’ strengths and weaknesses.” As the season came to an end, the team recognized its growth. “We are playing together more,” Linton said. “Now we are playing as one because we don’t have all the individualism.” By Paige Hamilton
recklessTEAM...”
“...A MORE
Whistles sounded as a referee handed a yellow card to a soccer player in a game against Bishop Ward on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The two players shoved one another until the referee pulled them apart. The team received one or more yellow cards a game due to several factors. Inexperience and young players lead to fouls and yellow cards. “We have a more reckless team this year,” junior left mid-fielder David Stichka said. Referees no longer reacted as leniently as they did in years past. This provided protection for players, but resulted in more yellow cards and questionable calls. “[The coaches] are disappointed that we’ve gotten so many,” senior sweeper and co-captain J.J. Bebel (right) said. “But they are fired up at the refs.” By Paige Hamilton
Photo by Marcia Ebb