For Watauga Men's Soccer, 2022 was a spectacular year. The Junior Varsity Team had an undefeated conference season for the first time in almost four years and finished with 77 goals. The Varsity team advanced through a rocky start of the season to the Fourth Round of playoffs.
In conference games, each match was a hard-fought battle that showed perseverance and trust in teammates. Although not every game resulted in a victory, failure did not stop the team from playing to the best of their ability.
Fitness is a big part of Watauga Soccer, one of the first things announced at tryouts is that fitness is what helps set Watauga’s Soccer teams apart from every other school. To play for Watauga means to train as hard as one can pass what they think are their limits and come back the next day ready to work even harder. It's something that allows Watauga players to simply outpace and tire their opponents while still playing great soccer.
“The result is clear, fitness is how we have been able to win so many games and make it so far into the season,” said Varsity goalkeeper and junior Kyle Painter.
Another important part of the Watauga Soccer Program is the importance of family and teamwork. The team is incredibly close and they are encouraged to bond through drills and practices that focus on team gameplay. While individual skill is important, being able to find success as a team is something that is always the goal. The team shares both victories and defeats together, allowing all players to get better while also encouraging each other.
The coaches at Watauga are a third factor in the team's success. It's quickly clear how much the coaches care for their players and why they hold them to such a high standard.
“We have a fantastic coaching staff here at Watauga," said Varsity player and senior Nathan Bishop. "They are genuinely honest people who put in a lot of effort in developing a relationship with the team on a personal level."
Playing for Watauga is also about individual leadership. As seniors leave, players are asked to step up as leaders of the team to help guide others around them.
“Being a senior was bittersweet because I looked around and realized that this is the last time I'll be able to do that," said Bishop. "But it was also nice to have respect for seniority in the program."
For Watauga, losing seniors is hard, as they are often what holds the team together.
“We definitely had to step up a lot this year because last season a lot of the leadership came from then-senior Matthew Taubman," said Bishop. "His absence left a big hole that required not one but all of us to take charge."
Watauga has proven that the challenge of losing its player leadership does not affect the team's strong bond and strength. This year both teams had a successful conference season and Varsity fought and finished by making it to the Fourth Round of playoffs. Despite losing to Weddington for their last game, Watauga is confident and ready to come again next year even stronger.
“The atmosphere and intensity is something that we plan to bring again next year, until then we train to be ready and prepared for next season,” said Painter.
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