Senior veterans Nate Heinrichs and Anthony Pellouso command the defensive side of the ball as the boys’ soccer team opened the season up with a 3-1 record. The Eagles lost several key players to graduation and Brian Casey, ’03, is playing goal for the first time. Despite these facts, Heinrichs and Pellouso have stepped up their practice mentality to lead the team.

Heinrichs has played soccer since kindergarten. One of the captains and starting sweeper, this year will be Heinrichs fourth year lettering in soccer. Heinrichs also leads the team with four goals.

“We can get to the playoffs if we work together and fight really hard,” Heinrichs said. “Getting to the playoffs will also have to come a lot of time and practice.”

Not only is the team working hard and working with a lot of diligence, they also have an experienced coach leading them with nine years of coaching varsity soccer under his belt.

“I hope to place first in league, and qualify for playoffs,” coach Matt Markarian said. “Then I hope we win Valley which will come to us if we work hard and everybody contributes to the team.”

Pellouso has played soccer for eleven years, this is his third year lettering in soccer and hopes to play a key part of the team’s success this year at the fullbackmidfielder positions. Anthony was also one of this years varsity football captains and knows how to work hard and lead others.

“I like soccer because it takes skill and hustling,” Pellouso said. “Soccer is also a lot of fun I get to slide tackle people. My biggest dream for soccer would be to get into a playoff game and the game goes to penalty kicks and I get to kick one.”

The team has set their goals for Valley and plans to get there by skill, determination and overall hardwork.

The boys’ next two games will be away at Fowler 12/11 and at Caruthers 12/13. The Eagles next home game is against Laton on 12/18. Soccer will also play in the Garces Tournament on Dec. 21-22.