Soccer Struggles

   Last year Sporting Kansas City was the top team in the Western Division of the MLS. Also last year the Liberty North men’s soccer team was one of the top teams in the state of Missouri. This year, however, both teams have lost players and have ended up lower than most people expected. 

   “We’re just very inconsistent throughout the game. We’ll be on for a couple of minutes and then for a good portion of the game we’ll just be slow to the ball and just not really try our hardest,” Senior Captain Cole Hadley said.

   After losing almost the entire starting lineup last year due to individuals graduating, the team seemed to not focus on their biggest goal.

   “Our biggest problem this year is focusing, especially in warmups. We just start off really bad and it kinda sets the tone we don’t set the tone very well,” Senior Daniel Duffin said.

   One of the biggest problems the team is facing is scoring. The team has been outscored 30-38 on the season and not scoring in critical situations.

   “I think a lot of that has to do with were not putting the ball in the back of the net most games and we’re just not really possessing too well,” Junior Davis Fulk said.

   Coach Art Smith has been the head varsity coach since the opening season in 2010. His philosophy is to make a better team instead of having individual stars through hard work and perseverance.

   “Can’t go wrong with effort, focus, intelligence, and unselfishness… We’ve got more wood to chop,” Smith said in the GroupMe to the team on Monday.

   Being a leader is something that Smith looks for in every individual. Smith encourages the team by setting an example after every game.

   “Keep believing, gentlemen. I truly believe we are a team that is starting to find its way with the best yet to come. However, we cannot cut corners and we will have to earn everything we get. That’s the way it should be,” Smith said in the GroupMe after the win against Staley.

   With a 5-12-2 record, the team still has their heads up. A goal set by the team is clear.

   “Our goal is to win,” Duffin said.

   The soccer team does not just practice as a team. Many players continue their practices on their own or with friends in order to get better which makes the team more successful.

   “A lot of the time on the weekends I go up to William Jewell or North and take some of my friends and have them shoot on me and just work on my handling and positioning,” Fulk said.

   With five games left in the season, the future is unclear for the team.

   “I think a good goal is to just finish strong. We have a few more tough games on our schedule but we need to fight through and see what happens,” Hadley said.