Boys soccer looks to get healthy and play aggressive
Junior Shawn Garner dribbles the ball in the Eagles matchup against Millbrook. Liberty lost their first game by a narrow margin of 2-1 and the rematch will take place at Eagle Stadium on April 26. Photo courtesy of the yearbook staff.
April 26, 2022
As the boys soccer’s team is in the middle of their season, they look to improve and maintain certain elements in their game to keep the season in their hands.
Coach Chase Cox looks to get everyone healthy as injuries are a concern and are slowing down the development of the full squad.
“Moving forward, I think we need to get everyone back healthy again as far as injuries are concerned,” said Cox.
Through the season, injuries have been a setback but it’s also opened opportunities for other players to show their leadership while their teammates were out.
“I have been counting on Buddy Ball who has stepped up as our main captain, and have rotated a few other players to assist with that role as well,” said Cox.
With the full squad slowly coming back, the team has struggled with competing at their opponents level of play and not their level. This has resulted in losses and learning opportunities as a team.
“The games we lost were because we played at their level, not ours. We take full ownership of those losses and are working on understanding as a team that we need to stay focused the entire game, even if it seems like we have a great shot at winning,” said Cox.
Coach Cox wants to see aggressive plays all game instead of matching the playstyle of opponents play, which has cost them losses in past games.
“[We want to] focus on playing as a unified team that plays at our level of play at all times, not down to the level of competition, because we tend to become less aggressive and have lost that way,” said Cox.
With losses, the team goes over film, talking about what they could’ve done better as a team and not as individual players on the field.
“Every loss is a learning opportunity. We review game footage and go over what was done well and explain what we needed to do differently. If nothing else, those reviews are helping them understand when they can see it as a team, and not as an individual player on the field,” said Cox.
Their most recent game the boys soccer team took a dub against James Wood, 1-0 at Eagle Stadium.
Their next game is on Tuesday the 26th vs. Millbrook at home.
