The player takes a blow from his opponent, crashing into the muddy grass below. He rises to his feet and slide tackles the soccer ball as he saves a possible goal.

The boys’ soccer team started the season with two back-to-back games. After these games coach Matt Markarian recognized a potential problem.

?We need to improve our defense on corners and set pieces,? Markarian said. ?Three goals in two games, we definitely need to work on it.?

Instead of selecting the permanent captains, Markarian rotates 13 seniors for each game.

?We have so many seniors this year,? Markarian said. ?Each one has different qualities that are needed in a team captain.?

The seniors hope that the underclassmen will follow their lead.

“Even though this is my second year at Fresno Christian,” John Lynch, ’07, said, “I have notice a great change in skill level this year from last. We should be a tough team to beat in both league and hopefully playoffs.”

Ryan Taylor and Kyle Brewer started as the first captains of the season, in their first game against Sierra at Tollhouse.

?This is my third year starting for the team,? Brewer said. ?I was surprised, but at the same time I was hoping to be captain.”

Sophomore Shane Darakjian compliments the effort and skill of the seniors.

“We have some many talented seniors this year,” Darakjian said. “They work hard and push the underclassmen to play to their full potential.”

The next game will be against Kern Valley in the annual Garces Tournament in Bakersfield on Dec. 15-16.

?The upper class is huge this year,? Markarian said. ?We still need to learn how to win by scoring goals and stopping the other team from scoring.?

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