Adjusting to the loss of six seniors and welcoming new players from junior varsity, this season looks different for the boys varsity soccer team. However, despite these changes to the roster, they have had a successful run so far, with a record of 3-0 in league and 7-1-1 overall.
Senior Luka Skoro sees this as an opportunity for the current members of the team to take on leadership-based roles.
“In a way, it was good because it gives a lot of other people the opportunity to show what they have and to see who could really step up,” he said.
Sophomore Ryder Korvola, a new addition to the varsity team this season, is satisfied with the current outlook of the team.
“A lot of people have stepped up, and there’s obviously more we can do, but right now, I think we’re playing really good,” he said. “We’ve had some unlucky bounces, but that’s just how the game goes.”
Junior Neil Kress also believes that the team is doing well so far. Initially, the boys went into the season lacking confidence, but he explained that they have built it up since.
Additionally, Skoro observed that while the team is proficient when it comes to set pieces like finishing off corners and free kicks, they can still improve on their overall gameplay and passing.
According to Kress, the team’s biggest strength this season is their defense.
“We have three seniors in the back line, and they’re really good and confident,” he said.
Outside of just playing, Korvola noted that the team has curated an inclusive environment, where each individual feels comfortable with the rest of the team.
“It’s one of those teams where everyone is friends with everyone,” Korvola said. “You’re friends on and off the field, and I think that’s starting to show on the field.”
Despite losing 3-2 against Jesuit High School, Skoro considers the team’s performance during that game to be one of their best so far, along with their game against Canby High School, which concluded with a 7-1 victory for the Falcons.
The Jesuit loss has also helped to shift the team’s focus as they’ve transitioned to playing in league.
“In some ways that loss helped us,” he said. “And now it’s going to prepare us to not lose another game and win state again.”
As league play starts back up, the team has been doing a lot of training on and off the field in preparation.
“When we don’t have games back to back, we do a lot of fitness,” Kress said. “That’s a big part of our training.”
Finishing first in the league is an overall goal for the team, and Skoro is confident in their ability to fulfill it.
“We want to win league, hopefully mercy rule at least two teams, and then try not concede any more goals,” Skoro said. “I think we’re the best team.”
Korvola also believes that the team is capable of making it to the state championship, as long as they continue progressing and taking advantage of their assets.
“Obviously, [we] want to go to state and I think we could with the tools, we just have to use them right,” Korvola said. “We just need to stack some results.”
Looking ahead toward playoffs, Skoro feels that the team will end their season victorious.