“With a very senior-heavy team, the underclassmen have many people to learn from and a stronger foundation to grow into a valuable piece to a hopefully championship team.” said Senior and team Captain Tyson Perkins. The Annandale Varsity boys soccer team contains 5 sophomores and 2 freshmen, 7 underclassmen with much to glean from the experienced upperclassmen.
Of the Atom’s first two scrimmages of the season, one would be considered a learning experience, while the other, a hard earned victory. The Atom’s first scrimmage was played against the South Lakes Seahawks, unfortunately losing 3-0. “The South Lakes scrimmage was definitely a wakeup call, we were a bit too comfortable and we failed to keep the intensity up,” Perkins said, “We were able to turn it around in the next scrimmage and play aggressively.”
The Atoms were able to get the better of the West Potomac Wolverines, winning 3-2 in a very close game. After a droughtful first half, the Atoms were able to flip a switch and get going, scoring 3 goals in the second half. For the majority of the first half, the score was stuck at 1-1, almost having led to a draw, but the Atoms were able to score 2 more goals within a 5 minute stretch and seal the game.
The Annandale Atoms have high expectations, as their soccer team is generally quite successful. Last year, the Atoms ended with a record of 8-7-1, an overall positive record.
“I would like to use this season to develop into a better player, but also learn more about the sport so I can become a useful and important piece of the team in the future,” sophomore Tamim Yassin said, “… as a defensive player, I will need to get stronger, faster, and overall more athletic.”
High school soccer provides a fun and competitive way to stay in shape for other sports, but if soccer is the sport that you’d like to pursue, high school soccer games provide lots of exposure and can bring the attention of college coaches. Soccer is also a lifestyle for many dedicated ballers who look to improve their conditioning and general athleticism.
The Annandale High School boys varsity soccer team has lots of potential with tons of experienced seniors, but also a good amount of young, talented players with much to learn and improve upon. “The team needs to work on improving communication, both on and off the field, to ensure better coordination during games. We also need to strengthen trust among teammates, stay accountable for our roles, and maintain a positive mindset even in tough situations,” said Senior and Captain Marcus Cortes, “improving fitness and teamwork through consistent effort will help us perform at our best.” Cortes is a great example of a leader, willing to do whatever it takes to win, but also improve. That is what being a team captain is all about, leading your team into improvement and victory, despite any hardships thrown at you,
While the season has only just begun, players must be quick to learn each other’s playstyles and also grow closer off the field to improve their chemistry. “We emphasize communication on and off the field, encourage supporting each other, and create a positive team culture through shared goals and accountability,” said Cortes.
Some of the Atom’s upcoming games will be: March 25th against the Westfield Bulldogs (home). This matchup last year ended up in a 2-0 loss, so beating the Bulldogs would show true improvement. The next game will be April 4th against the Hayfield Hawks (home). Last year, the Atoms were able to defeat the Hawks 2-0, and they will hope for more of the same this year. Also, April 10th against the Falls Church Jaguars (away). The Atoms came out victorious in their last matchup against Falls Church, but there’s no guarantees of an easy win.
You can follow the AHS Men’s Soccer team on instagram at @ahsmensoccer. Come support your Atoms if you’re free!
