As expected of WFS’s soccer team, another win has been brought home, improving the record. But these matches are more than just the final scores. Students need to recognize all the work done in the dark. By bringing that work to light, everyone can get even more excited for the games to come.
Preseason is a chance for players to shake off some rust or keep them in shape, try out new players, and experiment with different strategies; so making changes to any part of it carries significance on the effects it will create. On that note, this preseason started off differently than the rest. From the first day, it was clear that changes had been made, with the team having to run 2 miles with no breaks. It was sure to take the wind out of the players, and in the words of the starting left-back, Colin Romano ‘26, “It was sending a message for how the season was gonna be.” Such a rough start could only foreshadow what was to come.
The man behind this, Coach Philip, shared how preseason may be rough, but it’s necessary in the long run. He’s shown how he’s weighed in several factors to make sure everything runs smoothly and effectively. Philip says, “I start to plan out the week and what we need to work on for that week in advance, it’s a real balancing act in getting it right to make sure the guys can perform at the highest level for each game.”
Coach Phil thought thoroughly about what needed to be done and always had plans of adjustment ready, in case it was ever necessary. Luckily, but expected of the amazing team, alternatives were never needed, even for those who have never been exposed to the preseason package, the freshmen. A totally new concept to them, yet they still pushed through and showed us how their work paid off.
Luke Lohkamp ‘29, one of the batch who have already risen to become a starting winger, has commented on the whole process, “We didn’t have preseason in middle school so this fall was definitely tough but it helped me feel more prepared, be in the best shape, and made the whole team tougher.” He must be telling the truth because their record shows it, especially in comparison to last year. With a win-loss-tie ratio of 5-3-1 compared to last year’s 3-11-1, they show how much the team has improved, to the point that, not even halfway through the season, they’ve already beaten the record. It goes to show that the more work they put in, it has been reflected in their play. If anyone reading this hasn’t decided on it yet, be sure to check out the next game the team plays and add a bit more enthusiasm to the crowd with the acquired knowledge of how they made winning this season possible.
Coach Phil additionally says, “I know that this team can beat any team in the state,” and we need to watch
upcoming matches with the same belief. The support the student body shows will add to all the fruits of their labor. In turn, the team will show you – just as Lohkamp ‘29 and Romano ‘26 say – that “we went through struggles which made us more determined to win” and how “this is the hardest it’s ever been but the best, the best it’s ever been.” Those words capture exactly what this journey has meant.
