LHS hopes for a better season
11/15/2018
Sophomore David Silvers, a midfielder,
tries to kick the ball ahead of his
opponent. The Spartans beat Southeast
High School, 2-1, Wednesday night
(11/14). The Spartans are now 1-1.
(GABRIELLE SILWOSKI | SNN)
By ZACK THOMAS
SNN Staff Writer
The 2018-19 men’s soccer season is just kicking off with nine games through the month of November. So far, the team is 1-1.
The first regular season game was Nov. 12 at home against St. Petersburg High School where they lost 8-1. The second game was Wednesday (11/14), and the Spartans beat Southeast High 2-1.
After coming off a 9-9-1 season last year, the goal is simply to improve.
“The goal is to win the district championship,” Brandon Vaughn said.
The players are hopeful for what’s to come this upcoming year after going .500 last year.
“I feel like we’re going to build on what we did last year and go further,” senior Mihailo Ilic said.
When asked about whether the season will be better or worse than last year, there wasn’t a lot of hope or confidence.
“About the same… We lost seniors, but we got new good players,” sophomore Max Bernhart said.
Young players seem to be the focal point of the team this season as the biggest strength of the team.
“A lot of young guys (are) coming back,” Vaughn said.
The biggest concern is seen is having the players pull together as a team.
“They don’t compete together as a team. They have the same common goal and interest,” Vaughn said.
This may be because of a lack of familiarity with each other on the soccer field. Both Ilic and Bernhart play soccer for other teams. Ilic plays for the Clearwater Chargers and Bernhart plays Strictly Soccer.
Ilic is being scouted by two colleges. “Lindenwood and Florida College,” he said.
The team also has a motto: “Chasing greatness - on the field, at home and in the classroom,” Vaughn said.
With the hopes of progressing their skills, the team will participate in a tournament over thanksgiving break at the following address; 4801 31st South.