By Thomas Whitson ‘21

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After a solid playoff campaign last year reaching the district semi-finals, the Jesuit Varsity soccer team gears up for another season of district soccer. The squad is currently having preseason training and getting ready to be put into their teams for the year. Head Coach Bill McDonald and Coach John Gardner hope to see a district title coming to the trophy case with a team of many first year varsity players overflowing with talent and poise.

After a semi-final finish last year in the district playoffs, the team hopes to go further this year. a sentiment heavily reflected by Coach McDonald. However, with a group of new players it won’t be easy. 

The number of seniors lost “creates a void for this season’s team and returning varsity players need to step up,” remarked Coach McDonald. For team leadership, he says he is looking to current seniors such as Carl Belton ‘20 and Hayden Solis ‘20 and even to juniors returning to varsity such as Hayden Fetzer ‘21. 

About the team’s prospects for this season, Coach Gardner wants to “take it one game at a time,” and if the team does that then a “district championship is very achievable.” 

The team is filled with talented players all hungry to win a championship, and that motivation has been a bonding agent among the Strake Jesuit soccer players. Coach McDonald asserted there is a “genuine sense that everyone wants to put in the work to become the best.”

The soccer season will begin later this spring with a brand new Fighting Crusader varsity team. With the season fast approaching, the team is poised to make a deep playoff run and contend for a district championship. The team is excited to see what they can do.