Soccer teams lose season

MISSING THE GAME

Senior soccer players lose precious last season SANGMIN SONG SPORTS EDITOR “A lot of my senior teammates were so B oth boys and girls soccer teams found out mad due to the fact it was their last season their season was officially canceled on playing in high school, and hearing it got March 23, and no one got a chance to play a canceled was tragic for them,” said Kobe single game due to the spread of COVID-19. McCowan, one of the few juniors on the Coaches, managers and especially the players boys varsity team. “For us juniors, we were were frustrated by the cancellation. mad for a little bit but we got over it because

“It sucked a lot when I found out that we have next year.” the season was canceled. It was going to be Junior Reed Johnson is thankful for the a really fun time to enjoy playing the game seniors’ contributions to the team. with some really good friends,” senior Tariq “You all have been like brothers to me and Moutaouakil said. I’m truly sorry for this to happen on such a

Senior Kayla Eksteen, one of the captains big year for you all,” Johnson said. of the girls team, was similarly disappointed. This season was especially important to

“I was extremely upset about it. It was my some players like senior Nina Otto, who last chance to play soccer in high school,” wasn’t able to play on the high school team Eksteen said. “It was also because I would for the past two years due to her involvement be missing all the fun memories such as the with her club soccer team. scavenger hunt, senior night, team tie-dye, “I was really excited to have a senior night all the games and just spending time with the and to watch my friends’ senior nights,” team in general.”

The sudden cancellation was especially unfortunate for seniors because they had high expectations for their final season. Otto said.

“Senior year was the year I planned on “I had really high expectations for the “I’m getting touches on the ball multiple winning districts and moving further in the season. I legitimately thought we could times a week and pushing myself toward a competition than last year. We had a really have won the states cup if it wasn’t for half-marathon.” exciting group of boys and a new coach so COVID-19,” senior Steven Lourenco said. Staying active is especially important to the group was very competitive,” senior Ben Lourenco’s teammates agreed with his those seniors who are looking forward to Torres said. prediction. continuing their soccer careers. Moutaouakil,

Juniors were also saddened by the “The team bonded well during the Lourenco and Otto are committed to play cancellation of the season, since it was their preseason and there was a lot of hope going soccer in college. Torres and Eksteen plan last chance to play with the seniors. into this season that we could finally at least to continue to play on club teams or play DISTANCE TRAINING — Nina Otto practices soccer with her club teammates on Zoom. put up a banner this year,” Moutaouakil said. “A lot of us seniors talked a lot about what the season was going to be like this year, and all of us talked about how we had the intramural soccer.

McLean’s soccer players believe they would have done well if they had a chance to play. STAYING FIT — Tariq Moutaouakil trains solo even though his last season at McLean was canceled.

In spite of the cancellation, players have stuff can be taken for granted and we should found ways to stay active in quarantine just take advantage of the situations we have,” without practices and games. Moutaouakil said. “High school soccer is all

“My family got a Peloton [indoor exercise about having fun and enjoying the game as bicycle] towards the beginning of quarantine, much as it is about winning games for the so I’ve been using that a lot. Also, I’ve been school you represent.” doing workout videos, and if it’s a nice day, Torres also encourages next year’s players I’ll go on a run,” Eksteen said. to make the most of it.

Torres said he has been working hard to “Playing for your school and representing stay in shape. your classmates and family is one of the most

“I have made a goal of mine to stay fit and meaningful experiences you will ever have,” active during quarantine, so every other day Torres said. “Do not take high school soccer I go on long runs, usually six to 12 miles, or for granted because it will be over faster than play soccer for a couple of hours,” he said. you think.”

Moutaouakil has learned some valuable lessons from his experience this year that he hopes next year’s players will take to heart. potential to win states.” “As we see here with this virus, a lot of