The Boys Varsity Soccer team kicked off their season with a 2-1 victory over the San Dimas Saints in an away-game on Dec. 2. The Rams are adjusting to a new coach and hope to achieve a winning record and qualify for the playoffs.
The game was a close one, with both teams scoring in the first half. The first goal came early in the game from Junior Carlos Ponce with help from Junior Sebastian Martinez. San Dimas tied the game just before halftime. In the second half, Martinez scored the tie-breaking goal with the assistance of Junior Jayden Norman.
Since the Varsity team normally plays before the JV team, this game was unusual in the fact that Varsity played after the JV team at 4:30.
The Rams attribute this victory to the newfound unity among their teammates, which was lacking somewhat in previous years. The Rams plan to use this unity to turn their season around.
“A big factor in accomplishing this goal is our chemistry as a team,” Co-Captain Juan Carlos Charre said. “Because without chemistry, we are nothing.”
On Dec. 4, the Rams played against the Alhambra Moors suffering a difficult 5-0 loss in the second game of their season.
The Rams lost by a score of 4-0 to the Burbank Bulldogs on Dec. 5, but tied against Arroyo. They had the lead for the majority of the game but the Knights scored the tying goal in the final minutes.
The team put themselves in a big hole early against El Monte on De. 11, allowing the Lions to score three goals in the first half. The Rams were not able to score and lost by a final score of 4-0.
With one win, three losses and a tie under their belt, the Rams are hoping to improve their season and are working hard to do so. With one win so early in the season, the Rams have already matched last season’s record and are poised to make a run for the Rio Hondo League title.
In hopes of turning their record around, Coach Shane Watkins started the season early this year by bringing in practices and workout during the summer and continuing all the way up to the start of the new season.
“Ever since we have started practicing every day during the week, Coach Watkins has been teaching us how to improve our positions” Charre said, “Coach Watkins has taught me more than what all the previous coaches have taught me combined.”