Team chemistry defined how the 2018 varsity boys soccer team played their game.

With the season coming to a close, the soccer team can say that the season was a well-played one. The boys finished their season on Oct. 23 with a loss to Normal Community High School 0-1 in sectionals.  They won the regional and finished third place in the Southwest Prairie Conference.

“It was a great season. We played well together and made much progress. It’s sad to say it’s over, but we will be back next year,” said junior Alex Richter.

This year, the team had an overall record of 15-8-1. The boys finished their season with the third best record in school history.

“As a coach you always look back at close games that you lost and wonder what we could have done differently to gain an advantage to win the game.  At sectionals, we controlled the ball for the majority of the game, we had eight corner kicks and still only managed one goal. Sometimes the ball just won’t go into the goal,” said head coach Nate Spriggs.

The team has also made a few adjustments from last year to this year.

“Last year was a bit serious. This year was a bit more focused on team chemistry,” said junior Isaac Westerhoff.

Focusing more on team chemistry changed the dynamic of the team. They were more focused on attacking and defending as one. Although the team didn’t go as far as hoped, the boys learned to lift each other up and not focus on just themselves.

“It was a great senior season. This team is almost like my family, and I loved every minute of it. I am going to miss these guys,” said senior Conor Waldron.

With this being the seniors’ final season, they can say that it was one of the best. The team learned to play as one and become lifelong friends.

“We had great senior leadership, guys played hard, and we just came up short,” said Spriggs.

Next season, the team has much to look forward to. Varsity juniors Blake Brandenburg and Westerhoff will look to leading the team and incoming varsity players as they become seniors next season.