The high number of underclassmen on the boys soccer team has contributed to the unique dynamic thus far in the season by bringing new players with fresh talent.
“We have five sophomores and two freshmen on the team,” said Coach Luis Comesana, in his twenty-first year of coaching boys varsity soccer at Homestead. “We have a lot of young, skilled guys, but at this level, playing against teams with a lot of seniors, we’re at a disadvantage.”
This sentiment is echoed by other members of the team. “We have a lot of pure talent and good players, but we have problems closing out the games,” said senior Sameer Tharakan. “We have the talent to be a great team – it’s amazing when we come together – but we need to work on putting it together every time.”
“With the younger members, it’s definitely a different kind of makeup than a usual varsity team,” continued Tharakan. “It affects team play because we get beaten physically.”
The experience of the younger players is also a factor. “We have a lot of younger players who are getting used to the varsity competition,” said senior Evan Harris, one of the team captains. “They are starting to mesh a little better now.”
However, Comesana believes that the younger players have a lot to bring to the court. He cites that the strengths of the team lie in good footwork, passing and trapping, as well as a strong offense and midfield.
According to sophomore Nicolas Plottier, other strengths of the team include the fact that they play well together and there is no individual superstar. He said that the teamwork was strong despite the variety in grade levels.
Although it will not be advancing to CCS this year, the team’s goal is to win its last three games and to advance from its current standing in the El Camino Division.
“It’s been a tough season, but we just keep going to the end,” said Comesana. “The younger members are gaining confidence and the fact that we have so many younger members is ultimately a good thing. Next year we’ll be bigger, older, wiser. The future looks bright.”
The team finished the season with its Feb. 6 against Mountain View High School with a score of 1-2 and an overall record of 3-2-2.