photo from web
Soccer is widely considered to be “the world’s sport.” It is one of the few sports that can be played with nothing but a ball; no cleats, shin guards, or real goals are needed for many soccer enthusiasts across the globe. This being said, the game can also be extremely competitive, particularly in settings where players grow up with very structured, intense schedules. Heavy doses of this competition can take a negative form in coaches, demanding parental figures, personal trainers and in professional or college settings – fans. It is therefore easy for players – as athletes of all sports can attest to – to forget how it was (or perhaps why it was) that they first began to play the game.
The club soccer team keeps it in perspective, however, going back to the spirited roots of the game. Practices consist mostly of pick-up games every day from around 4:15 to 6:00 on whichever part of the Green is available. They also play neighboring colleges and universities on an irregular weekend basis. Says Jackson Murphy ’14, “I enjoy club soccer because it gives me the opportunity to continue playing one of the sports I grew up with. The people on the team are great to be with, and while we still compete and play our hardest, our main objective is to have fun playing the sport that we are all passionate about.”
The team welcomes players from all grades and experience levels, and while it is mostly comprised of men, there are a few consistent women players as well. Murphy continues, “The main driving force behind the club is that we all love to play soccer, compete, and have fun. This contributes to our team attitude during practices, in which the goal is to play well, improve, and have a good time; and during games where we are a bit more competitive, we still make sure that everyone gets to play.” It is this attitude that unites the team and keeps a healthy balance of these goals, ensuring that the game stays true to its simple roots.
The success in this mentality proved itself true on October 15, when the team had its first match against Trinity’s club soccer team and was victorious with an end score of 5-0. The team is led by Danny Viveros ’12 and Greg Goodfellow ’12.
As a resident of South Campus, I welcome the sight of the club soccer team playing on whichever portion of Knowlton, Harkness, or Freeman Greens that they have snagged for the evening. No matter the time of year or weather, this group is a lively – albeit motley – crew, united by the sport they are engaged in. Laughs, good-humored slaps on the backs of teammates and high fives following “gooooooooooal” punctuate moments of friendly intensity within and spread an air of positive energy to all passing by.
The club soccer team serves as a reminder of the merit behind stepping back from the extreme competitiveness which dominates the sports world. It is a step that has the power to take players back to the first ball they ever owned, pass they ever made or goal they ever scored. It is a step that athletes of any sport should try on those days that practice does not seem worth it. Let the club soccer team, among many of Conn’s club sports teams, serve as a reminder of what it really means to stay true to the game. •
