TENACITY: Boys’ soccer hopes to bounce back after losing some of its most valuable players.
By Scott Field, Staff Writer
Just two years ago, the Riverside Poly varsity boys’ soccer team was nationally ranked after a successful year. They ended that season with a record of 19-0-7. The majority of last year’s star players were seniors and have moved on to the college level. Head Coach Alex Figueroa, now back at square one, hopes to rebuild his team and have another great season. Ryan Finazzo (12), a Poly varsity boys’ soccer enthusiast, “The team two years ago had great chemistry, and they always looked like they knew what they were doing. I hope to see them do well this year like they did in the past.” Because of the team’s history, the coaches and student body have high expectations for the team this year.
Last year in the CIF wildcard game, the team came up short, suffering a tough 1-0 loss against Laguna Hills High School. At the start of a new season, the Bears plan to train hard and not let past losses affect their future. “We want to do better than last year, make it farther in CIF and win the tournaments that we are expected to win,” said first-year player Andrew Addink (11).
Though the team has lost a lot of valuable players in recent years, Figueroa hopes to see his team grow and come off of the field with more wins this season than last year. With the right coaching and hard work, boys’ varsity soccer hopes to exceed expectations.