Boys’ soccer shuts down Bartlett on Senior Night
A few players from the soccer team lineup to take photos after the Senior Night match.
April 12, 2021
The boys’ soccer team took on the Bartlett Hawks in a non-conference matchup yesterday evening. After highlighting this year’s graduating class of seniors, the anticipated matchup commenced.
In the first half, senior Brady McCann sent a pass that fellow upperclassmen Reece Taylor buried in the back of the net. This put the Mustangs up 1-0. This lead would stick, as junior Oscar Mejia picked up the shutout in the win.
The result of the game thrilled Head Coach Josh Robinson. The Mustangs were able to get out ahead early on, which they were unable to do as of late.
“We have not been able to get the goal early and it puts a lot of pressure on us,” Robinson said. “To get that early goal, it built our confidence up, and that was huge.”
Yesterday’s game was proof enough that the team had shown vast improvements over the year. There were quite unusual circumstances preventing them from playing in the fall. Yet, the soccer team refused to quit and kept moving forward.
“We have worked hard all year,” Robinson said. “Sometimes it is like a little bit of luck of the draw. They worked so hard all year. It is like they are starting to get a little bit of what they deserve.”
Hard work can get an athlete far, but the resilience of this team was on full display. There were no half efforts or taking a play off. It appeared as if their season getting pushed back made them want it more than ever. Limited opportunities gave them perspective and motivated them.
On every varsity team, there are specific players that the coaches instill a very high level of trust in. When the lights shine the brightest, they are the ones that step up and get it done. As for Coach Robinson, he pointed to two of his senior players that took on leadership roles this season.
“Drew Marquardt and Dominick Sanchez have been our leaders throughout the year,” Robinson mentioned. “They have been amazing, charismatic, and like leaders that have an amazing character. They led us through everything we did in the fall, winter, and everything we have done this season.”
