The Amherst boys soccer team is looking to make history this year. Starting the season 9-1 in overall record and 5-0 in conference record, the team is doing exceptional and starting off the season strong.
Coaches Eric Linde and Ryan Pikka have reasons to feel optimistic. “I’m really looking forward to it. I love this group of boys and I have really high expectations of their potential,” Coach Linde said.
Coach Pikka added, “There are a lot of unknowns as we head toward mid-season. I’m hopeful we can continue our run of form and continue to take strides every day.” Coaches Linde and Pikka are proud of how the boys have been doing so far and hope to see them continue their amazing run.
As for the players, they think highly about the team as well. The team captains see a team that is intense in its preparation and determined to meet a high standard as they progress through the next several weeks of play.
Isaac Snyder said he plans to keep pushing himself to be his best and try even harder to push the team to do their best during these next few weeks of practice. As for the rest of the season, the coaches and players both expect everybody to be trying their hardest and playing at a championship level because, as the coaches put it, “They have the talent and skill to be champions…they just need to practice like champions.”
Everyone involved in the program would love to win the conference first, and if the team goes further than that all would be amazed but not necessarily surprised.
Senior Otto Schultz, who unfortunately is not able to play because of an ACL surgery, said, “I’m hoping we win conference and put a dent in our regional. And if we play to our standard, state would be a bonus!” Otto came out into the huddle on Thursday, September 19 against a big rival, Columbus Catholic, and gave a motivational speech. “I won’t be able to play any games this season, but if I could, this would be the game. I want you boys to go out there and win this one for me. This is the game that means the most to me. So go win this one for me and Milo,” he said. Not only did this get the boys riled up for that Thursday night, but it helped them win the match against Columbus Catholic, 1-0.
The whole team was disappointed by the loss of junior Milo Graham in a match against Gresham, but Otto said it best: “I wish we played a cleaner game, but overall, I’m happy with our performance in the end. As much as Milo is a key player on our team, the best teams will lose a player and still be good. So Thursday [was] a test on how good our team is!” The team lost Milo, which hurt, but they fought for the fans, coaches, Otto, Milo, the school district, the families, Auggie (our awesome ball runner), and the town of Amherst.
