EVHS Boys and Girls Soccer Teams: A Beacon of Team Spirit and Excellence
by Tergel Batbayasgalan and Elexis Toosi
For the first time in 10 years, both our boys and girls soccer teams won first in league. All our players have been consistently working hard during practice every day, with different sets of drills and exercises. Boys soccer didn’t have even one loss this season, and girls soccer lost only once due to an unfair penalty. Throughout the season, players and coaches have strategized in many different ways to ensure they play their best during a game. Although neither team ultimately won their championships, we hope they will continue to strive to improve and look forward to them winning a championship next year.
The East Valley High School boys and girls soccer teams are known for their competitive spirit and strong gameplay. They have excellent coaches who help the team emphasize skill development, strategic thinking, and the importance of sportsmanship. Practices are rigorous, focusing on enhancing individual talents while having a strong sense of unity. The players are encouraged not just to play, but to study the game. This has led to remarkable performances against rival schools, with each match being a showcase of their hard work and dedication. The team’s resilience has earned them several wins.
We interviewed a few players from both the girls and boys soccer teams to find out more about this exciting soccer season.
What did you enjoy most about this season?
“Coach Wibbles and Kilroy are good at teaching JV [junior varsity] and taught us more skills and formed good gameplays that helped us win. Through their coaching we have learned how to work together, which is then presented on the field during games.”
What do you eat before a game?
“Usually I like to fuel up on a lot of protein and carbohydrates to keep my energy up so I can play 100% my best. If I want to eat a pre-game snack, it would be better to eat something light. Obviously it’s best to stay super hydrated in between plays.”
What goes on in your mind during a game?
“I don’t think during a game. I try to sprint when I need to and conserve my energy and scan the field for where the ball is and my teammates in case I need them. My goal is to get it up the field to shoot and possibly score. I also need to make sure that I’m quick on my feet and being prepared to make quick decisions. I play midfield so I play from defense to offense and I’m always scanning the field to find Claire or Genesis.”
How did you recover from your loss against SOCES?
“We analyzed their game play afterwards and figured how to play and combat together as a team against their playing style. Spotted out their strongest players.”
What do you think was the biggest thing that helped you guys win so many games this season?
“A lot of the players grew a connection over the season which allowed us to become stronger as a team, especially during pre-season practices.”
What happened during the league?
“We made it all the way to the quarter finals and even though we lost, we are still very proud of the accomplishments we’ve made and contributed as a team since this is the farthest we’ve ever gone in girls soccer. We were happy that we could make some of the seniors proud as it was their last season. We tried to make it memorable, not just as their last season but also our first season.”
