Boys Soccer vs Southport

With a reloaded and amped up roster, the Woodmen look to get revenge after just coming up short 2-1 in the Sectional Championship game last year to the Southport Cardinals.

This year’s matchup against Southport is a highly anticipated one as it will be a rematch of the Sectional Championship last year. After starting off the year with an impressive win over Perry Meridian, they want to keep the momentum going throughout the year. 

“We were crushed last year after that championship game. Some of us were even crying. After we made it that far and all the hard work we put in all year, we felt disappointed with the outcome. Nonetheless, we are using that to motivate us this year to hopefully make it back to that game and win it like we should’ve last year,” Landon Vaziri senior forward said.

With the loss of key seniors Sam Thompson, Quintin Cain, Alex Baugh and Brayden Wright, it is going to be tough for the Woodmen to replace them and the leadership qualities they brought to the table. Last year, the team’s chemistry was at an all time high because of these seniors. The seniors this year look to do the same.

“The graduating seniors set the foundation by doing everything they can to be successful, and that has blended down to this year’s seniors as well as the underclassmen. This year’s group of seniors have really stepped up and led the underclassmen,” Coach Dan Priscu said.

Since facing Southport last year, the lineup has seen some new and familiar faces from the loss of key seniors to the rise of up and coming underclassmen. With key returning players such as seniors Landon Vaziri, Zeigen Mahachanh and Landen Bellair and sophomores Emmanuel Jackson and Braden Reynolds, they look to build on what was such a magical run last year. 

“The lineup has changed a lot from last year as we lost many seniors. Fortunately, we have many underclassmen who are ready to step up and play their part. We are excited and confident for this upcoming season as we have been training hard these past months,” junior Emmanuel Jackson, Striker said.

Leading up to this game against Southport, the Woodmen have been training the hardest they ever have. This game means more than just some regular season matchup. It gives them the chance to prove themselves and get revenge for something that they believe should have been theirs.

“We are preparing for Southport just by focusing on what we can control and playing our type of game. We are using that feeling from last year to really push ourselves. This game really means something to us and would be huge momentum if we win,” junior Braden Reynolds, Goalkeeper said.