The McLean team celebrates an amazing win over cross town rival Langley High School. Senior player Kobe McCowan scored a hattrick in the match, which concluded with a final score of 5-1. Photo courtesy of McLean Activities.

With a final record of 2-2-7 (Wins, Draws, Losses) the boys varsity soccer season definitely didn’t go as the team would have hoped. So as the season and the school year close out, players and fans alike can look back at how things went.

While the team could have performed better, there are still positive takeaways that are evident.
“Our team has worked really hard to get where we are. It takes a lot of practice and dedication from our players, and it really pays off when we get a win,” said Assistant Coach Marco Garcia.
The team’s struggles didn’t appear to be on offense, as they scored at least once in every match; but on the defensive front they couldn’t keep up, only having one clean sheet, with their worst showing against South Lakes, who scored 6 goals on the team.
listen“I think injuries definitely hurt us, and maybe if we had more time to [prepare], maybe if we had a preseason, we could’ve started off the season with better chemistry and that would have led to more wins,” varsity player Aram Najarian said.
Even though a successful playoff venture and winning record weren’t in sight this season, the work the team put in still showed to have its rewards.

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Defender Czarek Bak brings the ball up for the game tying goal against Yorktown High School. The match would end in a close loss for the Highlanders 1-2, on the Patriots’ turf. Photo courtesy of McLean Activities.

“It is really gratifying to win a game or score a goal because it shows that all the hard work we put in as a team is going to pay off,” Garcia said.
The team should definitely aim to improve next year, but everybody involved has reason to be proud.
“I am just really glad that we are able to play this season in front of our friends and family and that we are able to play together,” Garcia said.