For the first time in two decades, varsity boys soccer won in the De Anza League. Along with their 11–1–2 league record, the team found more than victory this season — they found a community.
“I left this season with a family and not so much a team,” senior captain Jonah Altschuler said.
Despite players coming from different backgrounds and club teams, the team built chemistry throughout the season. This came to their advantage during games, where they could work through issues and cooperate to win.
But their overall successful season took a rocky start when their first two games ended in losses — one being against the Mountain View Spartans — leaving them searching for redemption in their rematch two weeks later.
“Everyone was mentally preparing themselves for it,” senior Dylan Po said. “I think that’s part of why we won; we were just hungrier for it.”
Winning the second Mountain View game in a 3–1 victory was a turning point for the team, boosting morale and giving the team momentum as they moved into the second half of the season, even reaching a 13-game win streak before their season concluded.
However, the season ended with a difficult 0–2 loss against the No. 6 Leigh Longhorns in the Division I CCS Quarterfinals on Feb. 21. Despite being seeded higher, the No. 3 Eagles couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities to score.
“In soccer, one moment can make or break everything,” Kiran said. “Even if in all the other moments you’ve been better. It’s just part of the sport.”
Meanwhile, Leigh took advantage of every scoring chance they got, leaving the Eagles unable to recover from the two-goal deficit.
“A lot in that game didn’t go our way,” senior Thomas Seigneurbieux said. “We made errors that cost us the goals that could’ve been prevented.”
Although their season ended unexpectedly, the team had a historic season, with a shutout 4–0 win against the Los Gatos Wildcats on Feb. 17 to clinch the De Anza League title.
“That was probably our most exciting win of the season,” Jonah said. “We were super motivated to beat them, not only because we wanted to win the league, but because we wanted to beat Los Gatos.”
With the morale and relationships the team built this winter, graduating seniors said they are hopeful for the team’s future.
“This was probably as good of a senior season as I could have hoped for,” Jonah said. “It showed the underclassmen what it takes to be successful, and hopefully they can repeat it next year.”
