Gallery • 4 Photos

@norwin_varsity_bsoc

Boys Varsity team huddling to prepare to take on their game.

The boys varsity soccer team at Norwin is on fire winning 10 games in a row. The team currently sits with an overall record of 10-4 and 9-3 in the Section , and are presently sitting at second place in the WPIAL 4A Section 2 standings.

Starting off their season, the team worked really hard to get to the point they are at currently by bringing over some of their skills from their off season training and keeping a growth mindset throughout the season.

“After starting the season with an 0-3 section record, we have faced many difficulties and hardships,” Tim McCabe (12) defensive left back said. “However, our hard fought win against Mt. Lebanon (2-1) on Thursday, Sept. 15, showcased that the hard work we put in at practice had finally paid off. All of the games we lost in the first two weeks of section play had incredibly close scores and I fully believe we will be able to beat the three teams we lost to when we meet them again.”

The team is gearing up to make a run in the WPIAL playoffs. There is no hotter team than the Knights heading into the post season. They have put in all their hard work and effort in order to succeed this year.

“Our team’s main goal has always been to win the WPIAL finals, but our coach has told us to take things one day at a time,” McCabe (12) said. “Some smaller goals that we are currently focusing on are beating Upper St. Clair this Tuesday and becoming one of the top 2 teams in the section in order to make the playoffs. Entering the second half of the season, we hope to continue our win streak and become leaders of our section.”

The boys had lots of goals for this upcoming season and most importantly improving themselves as a team.

“The goals for our team are to play through adversities with our head high and to work together as a team effectively,” said Alexander Brown (11). “Our team has improved by putting their bodies on the line for the team and by stepping up the work ethic in the final few minutes of the game. We had lost 4 of the first 5 games and it taught us our limits for the team and by stepping up the work ethic in the final few minutes of the game.”

Having a good mindset while playing is the best way to play a game. Clearly, the Knights recalibrated and focused on the season and are on a tear.

“Mentality is the biggest part of a team’s success and especially ours, if we can go out with best soccer we ever played and maintain it for the next 80 min we can be unstoppable,” said team manager Dillon Evans (12). “We just need to figure out who’s best at each position  and develop as a team as the season goes on.”

This season had indeed had its ups and downs with the team, but at the end of the day it creates bonds between the team that makes them stronger.

“The hardest challenge for the team is accepting the outcome of who plays and who doesn’t,” Evans said. “Everyone gets their chance and even though you may not start one game doesn’t mean the season  is over.”

Veteran coach Scotty Schuchert believes the team can continue its hot streak into the final part of the season and post season.

“We have worked specifically on working out of the back. Building up our attack. It has been beneficial to help us keep control of the games. We have all the building blocks to push at WPIALs,” Coach Schuchert said. “It’s important that everyone gets involved to keep the confidence up. We rely on someone different and everyone everyday. Once our team realizes they have the abilities, we will be at our very best.”