Soccer 

By: Michael Richardson 

 

Soccer. To some it’s no more than a game, but others recognize more than that. The moment you step on that field, you no longer play for yourself, you play for your team. It’s about more than scoring a goal, it’s motion and life. It’s about more than speed, it requires deception and strength. Most take the game of soccer for granted, our Canyon Ridge Soccer Team knows better.

 

The feeling of being champions isn’t foreign to our school. In previous years our Canyon Ridge Soccer Team left the competition dumbfounded, finishing the season with a trophy to bring back home. This year, however, the competition isn’t so scarce. On February 4th, our team suffered a crushing blow from Summit Leadership Academy, losing 11-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 “I train day and night to maximize my performance on the field. When I slip up I’m not just letting myself down, I let the team down,” says Garcia. 

 

“Can you imagine what it’s like to train for hours on end only to come up short? It sucks.”

 

Judging by our first game, this team has a tough road ahead of them. During their 6 game season, our team faces Chaparral High School, Mojave High School, and Summit Leadership Academy.

 

Having already suffered our first loss, the best outcome for our Canyon Ridge Soccer Team would be a 5-1 season.

 

 

Having scored the only goal, Jesus Carrillo had reason to be proud, although his reaction was as woeful as the rest. “I’ve always been taught that if you play for the name on the front of the jersey, that they’ll remember the name on the back,” said Carrillo. “It’s just disappointing when you work as hard as we do, and the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that.”

 

Feelings of this nature aren’t alien to the game of soccer. “Once you set foot on that field, emotions are high and blood is flowing,” said long time soccer player, Alberto Garcia. “People don’t realize that this is more than just a game, it’s a lifestyle.” 

 

Don’t be fooled by the scoreboard, our team isn’t short on talent. Players like Carrillo and Garcia don’t come a dime a dozen.