Mens Soccer Aims for Playoffs Once More

By Matthew Schoedel, Reporter

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Junior Aaron Bilbie attempts to make a save during practice. Photo by: Adeline Schefter.

Finally after months of waiting to step on to the field again, to hear the roar of the crowd, to feel the turf under their cleats, and to redeem themselves from last year, the time has come for the mens soccer team to aim for playoffs once more.

The entire team is eager to  redeem themselves after last year’s short playoff run and make their school proud, especially senior Brady Gallegos.

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The soccer team begins  practice. Photo by:  Adeline Schefter.

“I’m pretty excited because of how our season ended last year,” said Gallegos.

The team has great talent but it’s lacking experience, which is key to going far in playoffs this year. The team will be led by senior Luke Thomas, who has been a four-year starter for varsity. According to coach Brett Maxwell, he is expected to come up big this season like he has for his last three seasons with the team.

“He is playing on a whole other level,” said Maxwell.

Another player who will be looked at to play well this year is a new player brought in from homeschooling, Kaleb Lippy. Along with Lippy, they have added 9 other new players that they have either brought up from JV or brought in new to the program.

With all these additions to the team, along with the outstanding talent they already had, the team has great depth off the bench. Depth will be very important to have due to the team playing 17 games this year and facing major opponents in Gettysburg and West York.

Although they have a tough matchup, a lot of the players enjoy the camaraderie that comes with being on the soccer team and getting to know the guys. ” We have a good group of guys who work together for a common goal,” said Maxwell.

The official practices for the soccer team started August 17, the first game was a loss September 4 against Central Dauphin, 0-2, and a win on Tuesday against Eastern York, 6-0.

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A soccer player dribbles a ball around a cone in practice. Photo by: Adeline Schefter.