As the 2024 season came to an end, the Marshfield High School boy’s soccer team didn’t end the season as well as they wanted. During the season they had a total of 10 losses, 2 wins, and a tie against Junction City. It was definitely a building year, as the team lost a lot of skilled seniors from last season, and also gained new players. Having new players affected and changed the team, as they were learning better communication on the field, as well as working as a team.
“The season has been rough,” said senior Jonah Martin, who’s been on the team since his freshman year. “It’s been hard, but we had to learn to adapt to every situation that we’ve been given. Our schedule was pretty rough; a lot of the teams that we played against are going to the state playoffs and qualifying, so it was a pretty rough season.”
It was difficult for the team to stay focused on the field, especially when things wouldn’t always play out as they wanted. They were often discouraged in the face of a challenging match.
“Probably lifting my teammates up after we get scored on because of the fact that I feel like everybody lowers their head and I don’t think that’s right,” said Juan Yanez-Torres. “Instead of lowering their head they should pick their heads up and keep trying.”
But finding motivation, even on the toughest of days, is important for a team to learn how to succeed together. Friends and family members are what motivates the players to play–the cheers they can hear from the stands, and the morale boost they need to stay focused on the ball.
“My family and friends,” said Martin, about what motivates him. “I started to play soccer when I was really young. My family showed up to all of my games and supported me through all of it. I couldn’t ask for anything better, so it just reminds me every time to keep playing for them.”
The North Bend versus Marshfield civil war was a win for the pirates this year, and they beat the bulldogs with only one goal. Yanez-Torres scored the first goal, with Martin making the second one.
“The civil war game was really fun, I can’t lie, it was really good,” said Martin. “They scored really fast, but we decided not to give up, and it was the communication that we have been building all year and it finally clicked in that game. Juan scored a beautiful goal from about thirty yards out and we had a corner kick and Josiah put a corner in and I was lucky enough to get a touch on it and score.”
Like last year, the team is losing more experienced senior players this year.
“Some of them [the seniors] are basically family to me, so it will definitely be harder not only on the field, but also outside the field because I had a stronger connection with them,” said Yanez-Torres.
However, with more players rising up the ranks, the team is sure to improve. Like this season, this year’s team proved they are resilient and could think on their feet.
“It was a struggle for a little bit,” said Martin, “but we started figuring it out at the end.”
The Marshfield High School girls soccer season also ended in a slump this year. The girls had a total of 11 losses and 1 tie against Cottage Grove. There were many different dynamics at play that kept the players from beating every opponent, but the girls gave it their all.
“We’ve had a lot of losses because we are a growing team,” said MHS player Mallory Edd. “We lost a lot of good seniors last year, and I feel like we’ll do a lot better next year–especially because we’re doing a lot of off-season stuff.”
During this soccer season there was also a lack of communication within the team. Members are still learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and a big part of success on the field is playing to each player’s strengths and working on weaknesses.
“The team just needs more chemistry together, which is a little hard with new people coming in and people leaving,” said player Melanie Rodriguez.
Like the boys soccer team, there are many players leaving the girls team again this year when they graduate and move on.
“It’s sad to have our seniors leave because they all played a big part in bringing the team together,” stated Rodriguez. “But I’m also happy because it means new beginnings for them.
Regardless of wins or losses, the girls had a lot of fun this season, meeting new people and creating memories. With both Epuerto and Coos County Youth Sports soccer in the Coos Bay area, there are many other players moving up the ranks, who will be at MHS next year and may join the team. Combined with off-season work, next season looks promising.
“I feel like we’ll have better luck on games,” said Edd, feeling optimistic.