What makes a successful boys varsity soccer team?

Senior and captain Owen Cutting sprints across the field, keeping the ball away from an opposing Roosevelt player. Midfield players adapt well when situations arise, helping the team’s success. (Courtesy of Steve Muench)

With the ball moving quickly across the field, every pass grows more critical. In goal, the goalkeeper urges his teammates to hold their ground as tension mounts on the field.

According to Hadden Muench, senior and captain of the boys varsity soccer team, the key to a successful team is to have everyone fully committed to trying their best during every game.

“You have to have talent, which Ballard soccer has year in, year out,” Muench said. “but the hardest part is to get everyone bought in and fighting for the same cause.”

On the other hand, senior and captain Owen Cutting thinks having a diverse mix of players who can adjust to one another’s playing styles is crucial for a winning team.

“Having a [wide] variety of people who can adapt to other players [is important], which I think we do have, especially in the midfield,” Cutting said. “Some players adapt well in those situations.”

Senior and captain Henry Peters believes having good communication with each other and being friendly helps keep the team united and accomplished.

“Lots of communication is important [on the field],” Peters said. “And also being friendly with each other. If we are all friends, the season goes way better.”

Beyond just leading the team, Muench checks in with his teammates to keep their spirits up after a tough loss.

“I reach out to my teammates one on one, and just kind of tell them what they did well and [to] keep working at it, because at the end of the day it’s high school soccer,” Muench said. “You don’t have to win every single game to still be a good team. I just tell them to keep going, keep working.”

Cutting agrees that it’s important for players not to let a loss affect them, especially since it’s only high school soccer.

“I think supporting our mentality has definitely been a huge part,” Cutting said. “[It’s important to] make sure that nobody gets their head down too much… There are some things that will get messed up and we could be better as a team, but not getting too down ourselves, because it’s high school soccer. There [are] lots of ups and downs.”

Peters also agrees that the team needs to have a positive mindset after losing a tough game.

“We always tell each other to keep our heads up,” Peters said. “We lost to Blanchet 3-0 but in our next game we beat them 2-0.”