By Christina Chipman

The boy’s soccer team takes on the Concord Minutemen at the Kindt Soccerplex.
Photo By: Katie Wojcik

This fall, like any other, the boy’s soccer team will bring a new wave of excitement and school spirit to the halls of Plymouth High School, as the team prepares for the upcoming rebuilding season and the challenges it brings.
For a soccer player, the game is about more than just the numbers that illuminate the scoreboard. The game entails hard work, work ethic, patience, agility, speed, strength, and a team that can discover the feelings of being more than just teammates, but family. For the boy’s soccer team, these aspects come naturally. After losing the class of 2010, a tight-knit group of young men with much varsity experience, this season will be considered the “rebuilding season” for the Rockies. With thirteen years of coaching experience, Coach Martin explains, “ Well any team usually loses that base of experience and maturity which does hurt. And usually your strongest and most talented players are the oldest so the Juniors and Seniors coming in have to adjust and improve quickly so we can compete.” Senior captain and defensive midfielder, Mitch Good adds, “ It definitely affected how we learn as a team this year because most of the Varsity this year are young guys.”
Despite the young experience level bestowed upon the Varsity squad, the team continues to establish goals for themselves, and the team as a whole. The team began conditioning in the hot, sultry days of summer and as practices have begun, the team continues to build upon previous strengths. Junior defender Juan Chavez describes summer conditioning as “intense, a lot of running, and a huge team builder.” Coach Martin concedes, “ These players have a lot of heart, potential, and great work ethic, so we hope to be very competitive by the end of the season.” However, the boys have already proved the level of competitiveness in which they can compete. After a hard fought loss against the experienced Warsaw Tigers, a long time rivalry of Plymouth athletics, the boys gained a new perspective of the season. Coach Martin explains, “ Playing them [Warsaw] early helps us to diagnose the areas in which we need to improve.” A mere two goals against the Rockies was “the best thing because I believe we are growing as a team from that hard fought loss,” Good adds. From senior captain and outside midfielder, Tyler Crum’s perspective, he believes that “as a team we need to work on our finishing and our passing.” Chavez, however, professed the team needs to improve on “unity and trust.” With more practice, the goals set by Coach Martin and his captains will become more attainable. Junior defender Micah Harner explains his personal goals by stating, “ I don’t want anybody I’m defending to get a shot off. I would also like to score two goals this season myself.” When asked how he motivates the team, Crum explains, “ I try to lead by example and push myself everyday on and off the field.” Good, on the other hand, inspires the boys by “telling them to concentrate in school and to act like a gentlemen when wearing the Plymouth jersey.” Being an upperclassman on a sports team entails much responsibility, however, the senior captains tackled the weight of expectations and proved themselves as influential leaders on and off the field. Coach Martin explains proudly, “ The seniors have done a great job since the summer. They’ve set a good tone and have encouraged a supportive environment.” As the season grows, so does the comradely on the field.  Harner explains, “ The senior captains try to keep us on track.” Chavez agrees by stating, “ They have a lot of motivation and I think they’re what makes us what we are.”
The boys continue to work hard and build as a team and as individuals in practice, however, with each passing day, whether spent on the bus traveling to a long distance game, or in the Kindt Soccerplex, the boys are building lifelong companionships and creating memories that will be sustained  forever. Harner describes his favorite memory from the season so far being “the team goals session and team breakfast.” Good believes the best thing in the season so far was “the loss to Warsaw because we are growing as a team from the hard fought loss.” Crum’s favorite memory, however, didn’t entail a life lesson or boys bonding over a good meal. He laughs, “ The most memorable moment was when our goalie didn’t show up for the Rochester game and I had to rush home to grab my goalie equipment because I had to take his place.”
Even though the boy’s soccer season will be plagued with many obstacles, the team is aware of the natural talent in which they possess, however, the boys are also aware of the weaknesses that need improvement. The Pilgrim Perspective wishes the boy’s soccer team the best of luck this season as they continue to rebuild and prove themselves to be the hardworking soccer players in which they are.