Knights Soccer Coach Is ‘Optimistic’

(Edited by Saul Flores)

Southwestern Adventist University Knights’ soccer coach Luis Negrete, is optimistic about this year’s team and has confidence in his new roster.

While the team has not yet won a game this year, coach Negrete states that the games have always been about one or two key plays. This could have decided the outcome in favor of the team. One must also take into account the fact that it takes a while for the team chemistry to develop every time new players become involved.

“Compared to last year, the team has improved in many aspects,” Says Coach Negrete. “One way is that the boys have really matured both in and out of the field.” It seems that questioning the leadership of the veteran players has not been an issue with the newcomers.

Evidence suggests this year that everyone knows their place and is more willing to follow directions from the more experienced players in the team. The soccer team also seems to display a more aggressive stance on the field than in previous years. Every player has been fighting for every ball and hustling on every play. The team’s morale is an ever-present issue that has to be dealt with. It is therefore rather important to properly motivate the players before a game. Coach Negrete believes that the team has three main motivations. The first is representing the school as best as possible, and always having pride in the school’s colors. Secondly, the players are putting more of an effort this year because they are doing it for each other. And finally, the third and most important motivation is to do their best because of the Christian duty to do your best in everything.

In the end, the team must give itself goals for the season. The team is taking a methodical approach and wants to work on the small achievable goals first. For now, the team aspires to win one more game than last year and also to keep themselves with at least the same number of games won as games lost.

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