BVNW started the season off with a 1-0 loss against BVN. Despite this, head soccer coach Brian Pollack said that there are great things to work with.
“I love the rivalry, it’s something that we look toward every year,” Pollack said.
Last year’s rivalry game against BVN ended in a tie, and Pollack said that they have lost too many years in a row and that the team is due for a win.
In addition to being a rivalry game, this match was also the first game played on the field with its new dedication to the late Rick Pribyl, a former BVNW teacher and soccer coach. Pribyl’s son, Patrick Pribyl, said that he essentially grew up on the field and often returns to the field to check on it.
“This was his happy place. And so (the dedication) just makes sense,” Pribyl said.
Senior varsity soccer player Jake Banyas talked about how he was disappointed with the loss, but stated that it doesn’t define the rest of the season and how the players plan to keep moving forward.
“I think we have a lot going for us. One result doesn’t define the whole season. So we just have to keep our heads up and keep pushing,” Banyas said.
Banyas and fellow varsity player, junior Rogan Andersen, both believed that they felt ready going into the game.
“I was really confident. We’ve been preparing all summer long for this moment and opportunity,” Banyas said.
Although he was frustrated with the results of the game, Pollack said that the seniors’ leadership deserves recognition, not only from this game but all summer long.
“We’re in great shape. I mean, we’re by no means a complete piece right now, but I think we have, we have character where we need character. We have leadership, where we have leadership,” Pollack said.
If the team hopes to make it to the end of the season, Pollack said that their practices have to push them in this direction.
“It’s easy now because you have North dangling in front of you, but it gets real next week when you’re not staring at the Mustang,” Pollack said.
Another varsity soccer player, Junior Rogan Andersen, said that he believes the team practices a lot because of the competitive team they have.
“We’re dedicated to raising the standard within practices and games and implementing what we want to do in practice and play in the game,” Banyas said.
The boys’ varsity soccer team will play again at the Fat Cat Tournament held at BVW on Saturday, September 6, from 9-10 a.m.
