Wildcat roller coaster ride comes up just short of state

Match after match, goal after goal, Wildcat soccer continues a march on history. After winning conference, the boys were seeded number one in the playoffs, fulfilling preseason goals.

 Senior John Munson, a varsity player for the past three years, has never experienced success like this.

“Winning the conference was really exciting,” he said. “It hasn't happened in a very long time, so I think everyone is very pumped and excited about it.” 

Boys soccer has only won the conference twice before this season, with the last title happening nearly five years ago. 

“We started the season out really slow,” Munson said. “But we just kept practicing and building chemistry together, and we picked it up. That’s how we’ve done what we have done.”

The team tied their first two games, which quickly brought them to the realization that something had to change. Junior varsity defender Isaac Palomaki believes stingy goal defense has triggered the team’s winning streak. 

“I think a large part of our success was our strong defense,” he said. “We've only let in a couple goals during the conference season.” 

However, the journey to the playoffs hasn't been a walk in the park. 

“I think we struggle to connect our offense and defense sometimes,” Palomaki said. “Our communication on the run is a bit lacking, as well as working together as a team instead of individually.” 

Communication is key, and Coach Matt Callahan prioritizes working on teamwork.

“We have players that play on a lot of different teams in the off-season, so it took a bit of time to get everyone on the same page,” he said.

Once everything fell into place, the boys began making noise in conference. With greater attention came greater expectations.

“As the season went on it became apparent that we had what it took to win the conference,” Callahan said.  “We just had to perform well in every game, and I am very happy the players stepped up.”

Callahan relies on senior leadership to set the path. Sophomore Parker Gerlach reaps benefits from his elders.

“Anytime you make a mistake, they’re always there to lift your spirits back up,” he said. “John [Munson] has a pre-game speech that really gets the vibe going.”

The team's positive culture has built strong relationships. 

“When we score a goal we all run into the corner,” Gerlach said. “After every game we go to Culvers, and we get a lot of fans to celebrate with us as well.”

Munson sees his team as a home away from home.

“We have built a family,” he said. “I'm really close to the guys on the team.”

Culture breeds perseverance in the face of adversity. Sophomore Collin Carns needed determination to push through obstacles.  

“Overcoming those first two ties was a challenge,” he said. “We have also had sickness throughout the year,

but we overcame that.” 

Although the grind of the season could turn sour, such struggles made a conference title all the more sweet. 

“It felt really good to win the conference,” Carns said. “We worked really hard all season to win it, so it really paid off.”

To celebrate the success, the squad creates an atmosphere of jokes and enjoying each other’s company.

“One thing we do as a team is we have team dinners where we all go to someone's house and eat pasta and talk about the game,” Palomaki said. “I have gotten to know a lot of people better.”

Munson also finds a simple meal as the perfect way to dissolve stress.

“We have spaghetti dinners, and I think that loosens everybody up,” he said. “We usually don’t take everything too seriously, and I think that helps out a lot.”

Although the regular season provided an appetizer, Munson believes the main course has yet to be served.  

“Winning the conference was definitely one of our hopes,” Munson said. “Regional and final sectionals are on our list. We have already accomplished so much.” 

To prepare for such goals, the team analyzes opponent strategies.

“We watch a lot of films to study what their main moves are,” Gerlach said. “Then we have a good practice the day before and get ready for the game.” 

Practice provides opportunity for polishing both team and individual approaches.. 

“Some of our challenges have been finishing,” Palomaki said. “We can get good opportunities to score but scoring is pretty difficult. We have been working a lot on our final touches, and I think that has helped us out a lot.”

With this newfound success comes great responsibility and self awareness.

“I think we can move the ball pretty well, and I think we are a strong, physical team,” Gerlach said. “However, sometimes we can get overconfident, and that can lead to laziness.”

Everyone knows the consequences of falling into bad habits. 

“Sometimes it’s going to be a hard practice the next day, but that's how it is,” Gerlach said. 

The team has created memories that will last a lifetime. 

“My favorite part this year is the success,” Palomaki said. “I can always have a good time with the team, but this year is different because of how well we are doing.” 

Palomaki is anxious to see how far they can go.

“The hopes are always to go to state, but we still have a couple of games left,” he

said. 

Munson believes there is no magic bullet to the Wildcats’ success.

“I think it comes down to building a connection with my teammates,” Munson said “That always comes with winning our games.”