The Selma High boys soccer season has officially come to an end, with their final game against Torres High School held on February 14th. Despite the intense effort by the varsity boys, they fell short with a loss of 2-0. Although the outcome wasn’t what they had hoped for, the team has taken the time to reflect on their growth and the lessons learned.
As his third and final season on varsity comes to a close, senior Alan Mariscal believes his passion for soccer has molded him into his current self. Alan emphasized his final year being especially meaningful and what an incredible journey being a member of the Selma High boys’ soccer team has been for him.
“This season has been a rollercoaster. We’ve had some amazing wins, but also some tough losses. Overall, I think we’ve shown a lot of resilience.” Alan said. “We’ve got great team chemistry, and our coach has been pushing us to improve every single game.”
Rather than focusing only on the loss, the team reflected on their final game as a learning lesson. Alan acknowledged their faults, stating, “We need to stay focused and disciplined for the entire game, [and] we can’t afford to let our emotions get the best of us.”
Junior Sebastian Chang described the season as being “full of adapting.” He explains how this season’s stumbles will only assist them in gaining experience and further fueling their motivation for the next season.“This will definitely influence our team to prepare ourselves differently and bring a better run to our season.”
Sebastian mentioned that while the team gave their all, some moments felt out of their control, stating that, “Although we lost, I can [for] sure say, with a better referee system our outcome could’ve been different, but luck isn’t always on our side.”
With a majority of varsity players graduating, we can expect next year to look very different for the Bears. Sebastian reflected on his hopes for the team moving forward.
“I would like to see my team improve by continuing to welcome new players who provide a positive outcome to our team,” Sebastian stated.
Noe Vera, a junior, along with Alan, offered some advice for any incoming players stepping into bigger roles next season. Emphasizing the importance of having fun doing what you love rather than worrying about the scoreboard.
“My advice for upcoming players has to be [to] just enjoy it, have fun.” Noe shared. ”Remember, it’s all about having fun [and] trying your best out there.”
“My advice would be to always give it your all, both on and off the field. Practice hard, listen to your coaches, and never stop learning,” Alan says. “Also, remember to enjoy the game and cherish the friendships you make along the way.
Finally, the senior reflected on his entire journey and the impact his teammates and coaches have had on his life, and wished to give some heartfelt final words to those around him.
“I just want to say how grateful I am for my teammates and coaches. They’ve pushed me to become a better player and a better person. I’m excited to see what the future holds, both for me and for the team,” Alan said.
