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Boys’ soccer rebounds with new squad, better team chemistry

The Paly boys’ soccer team looks to restart the program this year after last year’s disappointing record.

Hoping to turn last season into a thing of the past, the new captains of this years’ team, seniors Alex Chin and Kirby Gee, are starting to get the team ready both physically and emotionally for this upcoming season.

“With every captain role there is always responsibility and that’s my job: to motivate the team,” Gee said.

Additionally, Gee has set concrete goals for this season.

“Last year, we didn’t do too well,” Gee said. “We didn’t perform up to our highest potential. Our first goal is to at least win more games than we did last year, so at least win one, which will happen. I want to improve our team chemistry. We are all really good friends, but we can improve that by learning each others’ play and get back up to the De Anza league because we got relegated last year.”

Co-captain Alex Chin, who plays centerback in the team, agrees that although they are good friends, the team still needs to work on their chemistry together.

“We have quite a few returning players and team bonding events like haircuts and pasta feeds strengthen the overall team chemistry,” Chin said. “I would say that we work well together overall, but sometimes our team chemistry results in a less serious attitude at practices, which is an issue we hope to avoid.”

Chin believes that the team needs to make many improvements on the field in order to achieve their goal.

“A major weakness for our team is that we have trouble keeping possession of the ball, which results in counter attacks and can cause defensive problems,” Chin said. “I would also say that our offense was a weakness last year, but with a few added players, especially [senior] Chris Meredith, I hope it will turn into a strength this year.”

To win at least one match, Gee hopes that the star players will perform to the best of their ability.

“Our other captain, Alex Chin, he plays defense, and you could call him the great wall because nothing gets passed him,” Gee said. “Then we have Gen Murphy up at the top of the field. I hope that he scores at least once every game. And then Wesley Woo, he’s a sophomore and he has good things to come for [the team].”

The team also looks forward to its game against its biggest rival, Henry M. Gunn High School (Gunn).

“We have a scrimmage with Gunn in January and that’s also one our main goals, beat Gunn,” Gee said. “We only play them once this year and we have to beat them.”

The boy’s soccer team looks forward to their first home match  against Mountain View High School on Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m.


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