In an academically centralized school, sports are often put on the backburn, and though WHHS is not typically known for its sports, varsity men’s soccer has proven to be the exception. The team had a final record of 11-4-1 and was able to showcase their skills at the ECC (Eastern Cincinnati Conference) game where the game ended with a score of 0-0. This is the first time since 2015 that WHHS was able to qualify.
The game took place on Oct. 12 against Little Miami. Originally, players felt as though it would be an easy win. They soon realized, however, that they had underestimated Little Miami. Players reflected on their performance in the game.
“Not very good, we definitely played an inferior team, and I feel like we should’ve won, but we didn’t,” Jack Commundeur, ‘24, said.
Unfortunately, the tie forced WHHS to share their ECC title with Anderson, even though they had previously beaten Anderson. This was because both WHHS and Anderson had the same record. The aftermath of this game will force the team to play later on in the post-season tournament.
“I think we had a bad mindset coming into the game,” Comma
ndeur said. “I think we thought it was already won because the team wasn’t good.”
Even though their conference game did not end as planned, the team still found lots of success in the second half of their season.
“Our season started not so great, but then we bounced back really well and started playing much better in the second half,” Ian Oloughlin, ‘24, said.
One thing that helped the team to do so well was social communication. The men’s soccer team found this to be their weak spot and readjusted. The ECC’s leading scorer spoke about how it became a brotherhood for him.
“Last year, we had a lot of holes in our team socially, and this year, our team is just one,” Roman Girandola, ‘24, said. “We’re just more of a family this year. We get along well.”
This unity helped to lessen the pressure put on the player’s shoulders and allowed them to lighten up.
“It’s been good. I’ve learned not to take it seriously, high school soccer is just supposed to be fun,” Griandola said.
The players feel that having a good mindset is helpful to remember why they decided to play in the first place. They use the wins as something to love even more about their sport.
“I fell in love with it. It’s just what I did for fun, and all my friends played. It’s just something enjoyable to do with my friends,” Oloughlin said.
Using friendship as their fuel helped drive their determination. Though the beginning of the season prompted such challenges, the team prevailed and brought home a series of victories to WHHS.
“I’m proud of us this year. I think that we’re a good team, and we deserve to be great,” Oloughlin said.