Arcadia has brought up numerous amazing soccer players, who have trained their lives playing the sport and can apply its teachings to their everyday lives. With soccer being the most popular sport in the world, it’s important to look back on those who may be rising stars in the Arcadia community. One such player in this category is freshman Nathan Greif.

“I first began playing after watching many movies and television shows as a kid,” he said. “I saw that they were having fun, and so I thought I could be a part of that, too.”

Greif has been working hard to hone his craft, doing drills and playing in organized soccer for over 11 years. He has great appreciation for the craft, and so enjoys watching it as well.

“I watch soccer with my dad, and we’re both intensely focused on the game. It’s quite quiet, and everyone in the room is very concentrated on the game at hand. The only sounds I hear are the commentators and the plays made during a game.”

Being both on the JV Boys Soccer team and a club team, Santa Anita SC, requires a lot of balancing. Greif has had to learn how to manage his time wisely, getting everything done on time. These extracurriculars are in addition to band, which also takes up a good chunk of time.

“Most of the time, my practices luckily don’t interfere too much,” he explained. “I would have to do my work early and focus so that everything could be done in a timely manner. Sacrificing games or practices for bigger events took some planning out as well, but I was able to get through the bulk of the season.”

Greif is quite happy with how his team is going, as Arcadia’s record is going strong, currently being 4-5. Although COVID-19 has slowed the team’s advance throughout the season, Greif knows they are still going strong.

“Arcadia has adapted to having to have a break from practice and a return to games throughout the season. Our coach is proud of us for powering through this season, and understands that we have all needed to practice to truly reach the best of our abilities.”

He looks up to many mentors, whether that be his dad, past and present coaches, or upperclassmen who have helped him on his soccer journey.

“My coaches have allowed me to push me past my physical limits; they made me faster and stronger. As for my dad, he helped me out overall to prepare for the next level, whether that be by covering basics over and over or working on power. The juniors on the team, specifically Dale, really helped realize my position on the team and how to work with others in tough situations.”

They have all contributed in some way, making him a better player as a whole. It is this knowledge that he learned that taught him what to do in any situation that may happen on the field; it is this sort of quick thinking that can allow Greif to make daring decisions that will surely surprise an opposing team. As a powerful forward, his goal is all about scoring. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, whether that be from tricking the opposing defenders as to what the play is to working collectively with his teammates to slyly devise a plan of movement to push the ball up the field without going offsides. The comradery made between Greif and his fellow players is essential to the game, with communication being an important aspect of the game.

“When it comes to playing with my teammates, we all focus on calling out our positions on the field and who’s passing where. This sort of information really allows us to take control of the field and ensure a smoother playing experience.”

Overall, this rising freshman has a lot of space to grow, while also knowing what to practice on in the heat of the game. He will surely be a key member in the coming years, with his brimming success adding him onto Arcadia’s list of greats.

Photo courtesy of Nathan Greif