A white and black-checkered ball zooms across the field as the players speed towards it. With chests heaving and the legs cramping, these athletes use their last ounce of energy to set up their next play, which may decide the outcome of the game.

But, their plans fail as Joshua Powell, ’05, blocks the ball and passes it off to his teammate, Timothy Westra, ’05. Westra then moves the ball up the field as the defending team swarms to protect their goal. Westra then drives the ball into the goal with a well-placed kick. The game ends with cheering on one side and shock on the other.

Powell and Westra, both varsity soccer captains, have played the sport all their lives.

“Josh and Tim provide leadership and set the standards for the soccer team,” Matt Markarian, soccer coach, said. “I am going to miss their leadership and their work ethic when they leave next year.”

Soccer affects the lives of Westra and Powell in numerous ways.

“I’ve made lots of friends on the soccer team that I probably wouldn’t have made if I wasn’t playing,” Westra said. “I really enjoy soccer because, in my opinion, it’s the best sport in the world.”

Westra plays mid-fielder for the team and plans to go to Fresno Pacific University next year.

“The hardest part about soccer is all the running,” Westra said. “But even with all the conditioning I have some good soccer memories, like the time I made a goal from halfway down the field when I was in 8th grade.”

So far, the boys’ record is 7-16-2. Their last game of the season will be played at home on Feb. 11 against Caruthers.

“I just love how soccer is so fast paced,” Powell said. “However, it does take a lot of concentration because you have to watch the ball and keep an eye on the other players at the same time.”

Powell played mid-field for most of the year, but is currently covering for injured goalie Derek George, ’06. He plans to enroll at Fresno State University.

“Soccer has really affected my life because I have made many friends on the team,” Powell said. “I keep on playing the soccer because it is just so fun.

For more information on the soccer schedule, visit www.fresnochristian.com
“~”Brianna Stobbe, Photographer”~”Leadership provides direction and motivation and is a vital component on every sports team. For the campus boys’ soccer team, seniors Joshua Powell and Tim Westra serve as team captains.

Here, Powell races down the field during a game against Riverdale.”~””~””~”Soccer Schedule