Written by: Devin Varner, Staff Writer
WINNING: Poly boy’s soccer team enters a new season with the expectations to achieve greatness on and off the field.
As the winter sports season is ushered in, Riverside Poly High School’s boys soccer team prepares for a winning season with Alex Figueroa as head coach. Riverside’s very own Coach Figueroa has coached soccer for the Poly Bears since 1997 after being hired as a full-time teacher in 1995. “Two wins with one decision,” explains Coach Figueroa. His longevity gives him the experience and passion needed to inspire his team to victory. He’s “unique, definitely one of a kind,” as defined by team captain Adam Figueroa (12). Coach Fig, as he is fondly referred to by his players, clearly has a passion to see his players succeed. Co-captain Jaden Torres (12) describes Coach Fig as “a great guy. He really wants the best for you and pushes you to your limits.”
Of course there’s no better day in soccer than “game day,” according to Coach Fig. This season, come game day, the boys team expects to compete for a league title and make a run in CIF playoffs. “We’ve got the players, we’ve got the offense, we’ve got the defense, the guys have the desire, and, if we have a little luck, hopefully we can get it done,” justifies Coach Fig. The Poly Bears have high hopes for a winning season from the boy’s soccer team.
However, this team is built on more than just winning; they’ve fostered an atmosphere where success is earned on and off the field. “There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not smiling at practice, or I’m not having a blast just creating memories,” explains Torres (12). “We’re more than just teammates,” adds Adam Figueroa (12),”we’re a family.” But the team’s roots run deeper than that. Coach Fig prides himself on being able to send at least one of his players, each year, to be the first of their families to attend college and plans to continue this tradition for many years to come. “We’re helping guys win in life,” explains Coach Fig. The Poly boys Soccer team is more than a group of guys playing a game; they’re a team that inspires growth and connection beyond the field. The Poly Bear family is proud to support the boys soccer team and cannot wait to see what they have in store for this season.