Season recap: Boys soccer

Grand+Haven+huddles+before+their+game.+It+was+up+down+and+year+for+the+Bucs+as+they+won+conferences+but+lost+in+the+district+finals.

Addy Wachter

Grand Haven huddles before their game. It was up down and year for the Bucs as they won conferences but lost in the district finals.

Nick Twa, Business Manager

The boys soccer team finished the season with a 9-3-3 overall record which resulted in a postseason berth, but ended up taking a heartbreaking loss against Jenison in the district semifinals. They had some key talent come up from last year’s junior varsity squad, with juniors Gavin Jonker and Jaden King bringing young talent to the group.

“We live for the postseason,” Jonker said. “We played the whole season looking forward to districts and so on.”

Even though the postseason did not bring a trophy to their case, the squad still had some bright spots to hang their hats on.

“We did not make it far into the playoffs which is a major disappointment but we also won the conference so that is definitely a major accomplishment,” senior Adam Glasser said.

Winning the conference left confidence for the rest of the squad that is younger. As the seniors pass the mantle to this year’s juniors, their experiences taught important lessons about sticking with the goals that they had to win.

“We had some slip ups but they were minimal,” Glasser said. “We always were able to bring ourselves back stronger than ever.”

This year’s squad had talent all around. Senior Jack DeKlyen brought leadership and past experiences that helped out the younger members of the club.

The season, with all of its ups and downs, brings hope for the future of the club and its first year head coach.

A first year head coach leading a new team would leave any fan of a soccer team thinking their first season would be a rebuilding season. But the Bucs’ success was a pleasant surprise for the team and also helps to bring excitement for seasons to come.

“Next year I think that we are going to be a super solid team,” Jonker said. “Our chemistry is there and our coach is starting to get a hang of things.”