Starting the season victorious, boys soccer defeated Ann Sobrato 3-0 in its first game of the season on Nov. 28. A potent offense brought the team its first two goals in the first half, with the team adding another goal in the second.

Senior and left winger Redmond Haynes said the team brought in a variety of tactics to drive the ball into the net.

“Our high press got us the first goal,” Haynes said. “The second goal was a great through ball and the third was a set piece.”

Haynes also said he hopes the rest of the season is as successful as the victorious opening night.

“Hopefully, we can get through quarterfinals and semifinals.”

Head coach David Light said the defense performed well, preventing Ann Sobrato from scoring multiple times.

“Defensively we looked strong,” Light said. “We had some very intense plays and a few injuries, which is not ideal, but I thought they played well as a team. The chemistry has been good.”

Haynes said despite competing at the highest level, the team has retained its lofty ambitions for the season.

“Last season we won league,” Haynes said. “We were brought into open division: the number one division. We’re trying to live up to that.”

People often measure a team’s worth by its performance, but Light said he values work ethic just as much.

“The ultimate goal is always to win CCS, but I just tell them to give the best they can, to give 100% all the time,” Light said.

Light said the key to a successful season is going into a game with the right attitude and persistence.

“When you do that, the results usually come,” Light said. “So the goal for me is that the team does their best and that they come with a strong commitment, a strong attitude.”

Haynes agreed with Light and said everyone on the team worked together. While the underclassmen are less experienced, Haynes said they are putting in the work so the whole team can benefit.

“We were up two and zero,” Haynes said. “All the underclassmen put in solid performances so I think we had a really solid back line.”
Light said he looks forward to the upcoming season, as the team gears up to challenge Yerba Buena on Nov. 30 and Menlo-Atherton on Dec. 2.

“It’s been great coaching them so far,” Light said. “They’ve been a lot of fun, but they also know when to work hard. They’re serious and they look like a team that’s ready to play well and succeed.”