Sport Spotlight: Boys Soccer
By Ali Myers and Renna Petrides
The soccer season is off to an exciting start, and the recent match against Vero Beach proved to be a memorable highlight for the players. Fresh off a win, defender Hugo S. expressed his excitement about the intensity of the game, noting that it was both challenging and enjoyable. He credited his team’s chemistry, which has strengthened since the start of the season, as a key factor in their success. “We connect better now than we did at the beginning,” Hugo shared. His goals are both personal and professional; as he works on his defensive skills and 1v1 challenges, he aspires to play soccer at the professional level one day. A longtime fan of Neymar, Hugo’s role model has shifted to Virgil van Dijk, the renowned Dutch center-back known for his skill and leadership.
Cayden, another dedicated team member, also highlighted the Vero Beach game as a season favorite. This year brings unique challenges, as many players graduated last season, forcing the team to adapt to a new lineup. Despite these changes, Cayden is confident in their progress, seeing the team grow together and remaining competitive on the field. A freshman himself, Cayden finds inspiration in his peer Rayyan, whose standout performance in the Vero Beach match helped solidify the team’s victory. With his eyes set on winning the district championship, Cayden looks forward to more hard-fought games as they work toward their shared goal.
For Trent Orcutt, the season’s excitement began from the very first game, which stands out as his current favorite. Trent acknowledged the team’s gradual progress, saying, “We’ve only grown a little, but it’s still really early in the season.” His personal aims are to score often and rack up assists, all while drawing inspiration from his athletic parents. Like many young athletes, Trent’s goal is to bring victory to every game, reflecting the optimistic spirit that drives this promising team. With each player motivated by individual goals and team unity, they are setting the stage for what promises to be a dynamic and successful season.
Soccer is more than just a sport. Junior, Myles Alonzi, began playing soccer, as his family did, but now it means so much more to him. “I played soccer because my family played it, but now I play it because it’s a part of me,” said Alonzi. Sports bring people together and teach people a new love for the game. Alonzi said, “Soccer is more than a sport to me; it’s a way of life, a language that connects me to passion, teamwork, and the rhythm of the game.”
Alonzi has been playing soccer at Mel High as a central defense for the past three years. He’s on the boys' Junior-Varsity team this year and plans to play soccer next year as well. Alonzi said, “I will always play no matter what. Whether it’s with college or not, I’m never stopping.”
When someone plays a sport, they’re bound to make connections with other people and learn how to do new things. During a game, the players must all work together in order to make the ball in the goal. It’s these shared experiences that build strong bonds between players. “Teamwork is everything in soccer, from making a pass or scoring a goal. You need teamwork in every part of the game. It’s what makes a team run, on and off the field.” said Alonzi.