The Prairie boys soccer team has been preparing for their upcoming season. Every Friday at the Prairie soccer field the boys have been scrimmaging and playing fun games to strengthen their connection with new players and to have a great chemistry-filled season.
The boys’ season last year ended as a very difficult one, especially after losing 7 seniors who added a lot to the team. The season did not go in their favor but this year, they have a big advantage. Pre-season practices. “ The pre-practices are really more fun and games than anything but it also helps us to stay in shape,” Senior midfielder Leobardo Lopez says. “We have mostly been scrimmaging each other, to see each player’s play style among other things,” Junior center-back Isaiah Ojeda adds.
These practices are not official practices, mostly scrimmaging one another and playing familiar games to get the extra practice months ahead of the season. They want to be prepared. They want to win. They’re determined to have an amazing season.
These boys want a good season, they feel like they have improved since the last one.“I definitely improved for the better this time, last year I was injured so playing time wasn’t an option for me,” Lopez states. Lopez did not back down from the challenging situation though, even now he’s taking measures for that improvement. “I have been staying active whether it’s with my club or playing with friends, it’s helped me a lot.”
Ojeda has made similar measures to improve, “I’ve been practicing at least 3 times a week for 2 hours minimum,” Ojeda states. He also feels like he’s improved so much since last year, “ Yes for sure, I’ve been also working with my club team and winning many games leading to us being league champs.”
Overall The team believes that what they need is chemistry. They think that with team chemistry their plays will be smooth and lead them to a win. “ It’s just that chemistry, last year it was definitely lacking but this year it’s going to be better for sure since we’ve started our pre-practices early,” Lopez comments. Ojeda believes the team also needs good chemistry and has good predictions for the upcoming season. “ I hope our year is great, winning districts and going to state would be the dream.”
