By Katrina Jansen-Buciuni, Editor in Chief
Indian Trail boy’s soccer players made a great connection this season even though the record might not reflect a winning season. All of the players this year came from different club teams and respect where teammates play in the off season.
“They all love the game of soccer to their core, so they all have that connection,” says Jeffrey Laurent, Indian Trail boys soccer varsity coach.
Players struggle with gaining intensity at the beginning of games. This causes the team to become inconsistent. Having the mindset of winning the game is key.
“We don’t start the game off quick enough, we’re slow in the first 20 minutes which puts us behind. Some of the teams we play are good enough that we don’t allow ourselves to have a chance to make a comeback,” said Mariano Tenuta, senior team captain.
A leader is needed to take charge in difficult situations which is quite tricky because the greatest strength is the depth of experience in terms of both high school soccer and high level club soccer.
“What makes a strong leader is someone that listens to Coach, applies what he says and does it on the field exceptionally,” said Tenuta.
Coach Laurent had high expectations this season as he and the team strived to place in the top three in conference and to make it to sectionals. But at press time, the team conference record was 0-7 and their overall was 4-14.
“If we’re in a crunch, we don’t get mad at each other, we pick our heads up, we work together because we’re a soccer brotherhood. We come together. If we win then we win, if we lose then we lose,” said Tenuta.
If Coach Laurent could tell his seniors one thing for the last time he would tell them: “Use your lead foot!”