After three consecutive losses to start the season, the boys’ varsity soccer team needed a reset. Luckily, reinforcements were on the way, straight from a showcase in Arizona to the practice field. Just days later, they were thrust into the fray, playing in the San Rafael Mission City Invitational. Three games in, nine goals conceded, zero scored, something needed to change. Immediately.
At 7:30 pm, the game kicked off against Archie Williams, a cold, crisp night, with determination in the air. Late in the first half, a simple mistake left the boys a goal behind. But with only a few minutes remaining, the Wildcats clawed their way back to win the game—the first win of the season.
Next came wins against Sanger Cal South, Piner, Redwood, and San Marin. Then a brief stumble, losing 0-1 at home against Roseland Prep.
With one final game before Conference Play, the Wildcats traveled to Healdsburg High School. Once again, it took a dramatic late goal, but in the end, UHS took a hard-fought win.
UHS News spoke to Head Coach Shane Huff about pre-season struggles and upcoming conference play. Coach Huff reflected on the season’s early challenges: “We were missing 10 dudes, and of those 10, 7 or 8 are seniors and starters–that’s hard to replace. The guys who were here were working hard; they just lacked experience.”
Huff shifted his focus to the remainder of the season and keys to success: “The guys gotta stay humble, stay driven, stay grounded. We have to do the little things right, because we’ve shown that we are one of the best programs in Northern California. We’re getting everyone’s absolute best, so if we don’t bring our very best on any given day, we can be beaten. I think that was proven.”
Adrian Vasquez, Co-Captain and one of the players who returned from Arizona, shared thoughts on the shift from the beginning of the season. “We’ve gained confidence.” Confidence is a vital component to success; some is needed, but too much can be a team’s downfall.
He continued: “We can’t get ahead of ourselves, but instead take each game one at a time, as a challenge. We need to work for it because nothing is given unless you put in the effort. When you work, you gain desire.”
On the team’s leadership, Coach Huff shared: “Leading by actions, doing the right thing on and off the field is super important,” he said. “Keeping a positive attitude, a hard work ethic, keeping that drive, that hunger. If they can be positive leaders on the field, they help everybody around them to be collectively better.”
Coach Huff stressed, “It’s a player-dominated sport; the players have to coach each other. Every day, look in the mirror and ask: How am I going to impact myself and everyone around me to be better?”
Vasquez, who is in his final year at UHS, shared how the ever-growing excitement around the soccer program doesn’t feel like pressure, but rather fuel to show everyone what a team from a small town can do. His biggest goals for the season are winning the league’s MVP award and making a run for the State Championship; goals, he says, that are achievable if the team “stays focused and hardworking.”
Huff concluded: “We’re not always going to be the sharpest or the cleanest, but we can always be the hardest working, and if we are willing to do that, then we put ourselves in a really good position for success.”
Show your Wildcat Pride at the boys’ soccer first league home game on Friday, January 16th, against Cardinal Newman. JV kicks off at 5 pm and Varsity at 7 pm.
Let’s go, Wildcats!!
Note: On Wednesday, January 14th, both the JV and Varsity boys played their first league games away at Maria Carillo. The JV boys lost 0-2, while the Varsity team won 2-1, with goals scored by Eusebio Andrade and Adrian Vasquez.
Salvio Senerchia was born in Santa Rosa and has lived in Mendocino County his whole life. He is a Freshman and in his first year of Journalism. He has a deep care for the world, its imperfections and inequalities. Salvio loves all things soccer, and is interested in law. He is an avid Liverpool F.C. fan and hopes to visit the city and attend a match! He loves learning, especially History, Math, and any and all reading and writing. He enjoys writing about current and past events and conflicts. Salvio loves traveling, exploring the world and learning about the places he visits.