The boys soccer team looks to make a push for states in this 2021 campaign. After a short spring season with no fans in attendance, there will finally be fans again to provide the team with a winning atmosphere that these players need in order to push for states.

Prior to the start of the regular season, Montgomery County put out a power ranking of all the boys soccer teams in the area and WJ did not make the cut.

“Personally I don’t even care about the rankings cause I know what this team can do and what we can show on the field,” senior captain and center-back Katala Lupunga-Phillips said. “I think this season we can go further than we ever have, everybody’s working pretty well, we got good chemistry, so I’m excited to see what we can do.”

The team has no interest in what experts have to say as they are motivated to win states and beat all of those great teams that did make the top 10. They clearly have a great desire to hold up that trophy at the end of the season.

Fans are finally allowed back in the stadium and it makes a big difference for this team.

“I feel like everyone is hungry and everyone is really excited to have fans packed in the stadium,” senior captain and center midfielder Alejandro Linares said. “I feel like everyone is really motivated to have the school actually behind us instead of being online and we can do stuff outside of school with less covid restrictions which helps us create a bond within the team.”

Being able to go out with teammates and share meals together and just hangout helps so much with team chemistry. It is undeniable how important having a bond with a team can be.

This team has a capable roster at every position full of great junior and senior athletes.

“I really expect us to make a deep run this year,” senior captain and goalkeeper Leo Dobosz said. “We have depth in all positions on the field, and our starters are very skilled.”

The players on this team know what they are capable of and will not disappoint this season. WJ starts off with a tough schedule in the first few weeks of the season. Saturday, Sept. 11 WJ took a road trip to Delaware to face one of the best teams in the nation, and lost 3-2. This was WJ’s first true test.

WJ soccer has always been a successful program and they look to continue that in the 2021 season. This year their goal is not just to make a run in the playoffs, but to bring home a state championship.