The Oswego Varsity boys soccer team is at it again and has accomplished and overcome a lot in its 2022 season. This year, the team faced multiple complications that it was forced to adapt to.
“[The team] had a lot of injuries on the team during the beginning to middle of the season…a couple people got sick, a couple people got injured… finding replacements for the people that got injured was a challenge, but we adapted to it,” junior Mikey Kroll, center midfielder, says.
The team had a rocky start within the first couple weeks of its season, as it lost its first three games. However, with a score of 3-0, it won its first game against South Elgin on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Despite the setbacks the team had with their physical playing, junior Ryan Walsh, a team captain, explains the improvement of the team’s mindset.
“Some of the team spirit in previous years wasn’t as good as this year, and we were all determined and ready to win.” Walsh stated.
Kroll mentions how the relationships within the team made an impact on their playing.
“We all hang out outside of soccer to build friendships, and I think that transferred onto the field talking-wise and knowing what all of us do.” Kroll said.
As an effect of its team spirit, the team won against the Plainfield North Tigers on Wednesday, Oct. 19. This was game one of the conference playoffs, and the team had a lot riding on its back. Plainfield North was ranked No. 12 in state and No. 2 in conference, which created tension amongst the team with its eagerness to take the victory.
“Everyone was ready to win and a bunch of people from the school were telling us we were gonna get beat 3-0 or 4-0, but we kept telling them they were wrong and that we were going to pull through,” Walsh says.
And the team did pull through.The Panthers won the game and took down the Tigers with a score of 4-3. It was a priceless moment for every player on the team.
“Beating Plainfield North was my most memorable moment…it overall just felt really good beating them,” senior and team captain Will Kalsto says. “Not to mention they were ranked in state.” The win against Plainfield North was not the only one, but also the seven other wins that contributed to the success of their season.
Here are their wins and final scores:
Yorkville: 2-1
Wheaton North: 5-2
Minooka: 2-1
Plainfield Central: 2-0
Joliet Central: 2-0
Marmion: 2-0
Plainfield South: 4-0
As the season ends, Kroll mentioned that he already set expectations for himself going into next season as he is going to be a senior.
“Everyone is taught to be a leader in your own way, but especially as a senior, you need to show the kids how to act and what to do and be more respectful and responsible towards people,” Kroll says.
Not to mention, the bonds the seniors make with the team plays a huge role in the playing on the field.
“I just want to keep the same relationships. A lot of the seniors started the relationships with the younger athletes so me being a senior next year I want to do that exactly how they did,” Kroll says.
Although the team’s season came to an abrupt end against Wheaton Warrenville South High School, the Panthers are eager to move onto their next season and carry on their pride and great character. Watch out for the Panthers in their 2023 season!
