This year 100 boys tried out for the soccer team. Last Friday, Nov. 8th, the JV boy’s soccer coach, David Arenas, and the varsity coach, Brandon Cedillo decided who they would keep for this year’s soccer roster out of the 100 boys who tried out for the team. Arenas said he and Cedillo will have 30 boys by the first week but the week of Nov. 15th they will cut down to 20 players.
Arenas, the JV coach, says his priorities for this team are not just to win, but also to prepare his players for varsity next year. Arenas wants to focus on the players’ development on and off the field while emphasizing character and communication skills with teammates. Coach Arenas acknowledges the tough decision process to cut players but encourages non-selected players to remain hopeful for future opportunities.
Cedillo, the varsity coach, says his expectations from the varsity players are to always be on time, put in a lot of work, and maintain their grades to be eligible to play. Cedillo will have his players practice double sessions after school and on weekend mornings.
Jeremy Ruiz, a freshman trying out for the center-back position, says he was encouraged to try out by his liking for soccer and hopes that high school will get him more involved with soccer. Ruiz says his practices with his other teammates from Santa Clara Lions have given him more experience and skills that he will use for tryouts.
Andres Padilla, a sophomore trying out for the center-back defense position, says he prepares for these tryouts with skills he’s learned with his club teams Surf and Legend FC. He says his connection with the coaches and teammates encourages him to keep trying even when he makes mistakes. Something that Padilla likes about tryouts is being able to improve every day and work on new techniques.
Ty Fought, a senior trying out for center back right back says he has played soccer since his freshman year and likes playing with this team. Fought prepares for tryouts by eating and sleeping well and drinking a lot of water. Fought has played soccer since he was 3 years old and is now playing for Almaden soccer club. Fought says playing with the boys and reconnecting with them on the field motivates him to keep trying.
