Loyola varsity soccer kicks its season off with a scrimmage this Thursday against Palos Verdes. The varsity soccer team at Loyola is excited about a new season, with more normalcy than that of last year.
As junior Charlie Muñoz put it, “It’s nice to be together again and be able to train.”
The team’s goal is to play in the CIF championship game for the 3rd consecutive year and bring the ring home this season. When asked how they’re going to attain this goal, head coach Chris Walter responded that they’re going to play a “Disciplined game. Control and ball-keeping are necessary. We’re also going to have a solid defense.”
In terms of formations to maximize their wins, Coach Walter explained they “ Typically use a 4 3 3, but this season we’re going to play around with a 3 5 2 a little and see how it works.” Senior Adrian Camacho added that the team is also preparing with “Summer and morning workouts with strength and conditioning coach Andre Woodert.”
With the presence of a few sophomores, the team is going to work on its chemistry, as well as getting the sophomores who haven’t had as many minutes as the rest of the team more up to speed. Senior Joe Padden stated that “It’s key for us to be able to work as a team on and off the field, and Seniors have to be examples for underclassmen.”
Coach Walter added that “Camaraderie between our team members is very important. Mixing it up with the classes, getting underclassmen to get to know and get along with the upperclassmen is our goal.”
The Loyola varsity soccer team will be using all these elements to take on Palos Verdes Thursday. This scrimmage will give the team a good chance to get new sophomores and upperclassmen who missed playing time last year more acclimated to playing on the varsity level. This will also be a great opportunity to see how the team clicks in a real game environment without the season game stakes at play. Despite the lowered stakes, this driven team is going to bring the same intensity and focus they bring to every practice and training session to the game Thursday.