The varsity boys soccer team is ready to get back on the field after missing last year’s season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. First-year head coach, Mike Dean, looks to take Westside’s talent to the state playoffs this spring and is excited for his high school coaching debut at Westside.

“I’m excited to try coaching on different fields and against different opponents that I wasn’t used to when coaching club soccer,” Dean said.

Not only did they miss the entirety of last season, but the team missed out on everything that comes with it, including bonding, practices, and gaining experience playing on the field. Junior Jake Garcia believes this year isn’t going to be the same as most. The Warriors prepare for the challenges facing them due to missing out last year.

“I think a challenge for us this season is going to be playing at a high level all throughout the season especially because we didn’t get to play last year,” Garcia said.

The team believes that the preseason has been going very well, and the team chemistry is through the roof. Senior Zachary Goldner expressed the confidence he had in the team and his hopes for the year.

“I’m feeling good about the season, I’m feeling good about the players that we have, and hopefully we make it back to state this season,” Goldner said.

Westside’s last state appearance was in 2018, falling in the state championship to Kearney, 1-0. They would end their state runner-up season 18-2. The Warriors look to come back and do what they did two seasons ago, but take it one step further and bring Westside another state championship trophy. 

“With being a new high school soccer coach I expect that they have more passion into what they are doing, because they represent their school, playing among their peers, and I’m thinking this year’s gonna be a great one,” Dean said.

With such a long wait, Westside has been working independently in the offseason and players would finish up their club season this last fall. Looking to work together to accomplish anything that comes their way, the Warriors are confident going into their 2021 soccer season.

“I think the aspect of bringing the guys together, and overcoming challenges throughout the season, it’s just something that we enjoy and having fun,” Dean said. “Also very energetic towards moments that get close and tense.”

The boy’s team makes their return to the pitch on Friday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Skutt Catholic High School to take on the Skyhawks.