In the last home game of the season, the Arcadia High School (AHS) Boys Varsity Soccer team went up against Crescenta Valley High School (CVHS). The morning of Feb. 1 was pouring rain, but as the skies lightened up, so did the players’ hopes of winning. Although the game ended in a tie with a 0-0 score, both teams displayed incredible defense and offense.

As the teams huddled together, the spectators settled into the bleachers and held up their posters.

“Before games, we always go over strategies,” said Varsity Head Coach Christoper Ferrer. “Today, we wanted to eliminate [CVHS] from playing into the midfield; we wanted to force them to go wide. We accomplished this for most of the game, [though] a couple of times [the CVHS players] did split through the middle. They’re talented, and it was hard to keep up with their midfield, but I think we did a decent job with keeping them scoreless today.”

During the first half of the game, both teams came close to scoring. CVHS executed a penalty kick just four minutes into the game, but wasn’t able to score a point. Similarly, AHS had multiple notable offensive attempts, but was always stopped by the opposing team’s goalkeeper. Even so, each fan rose from their seat and cheered in anticipation whenever the Apache team brought the ball near the net.

“It’s always an advantage having your coach, your fans, your family, and even your teachers and classmates around; it definitely makes you want to play a little bit harder,” said senior Team Captain Konnor Buckmaster.

After an eight minute halftime break, the teams switched sides on the field. AHS began this half with a stronger offense than before, and pushed harder towards CVHS’s goal.

“I felt like the teams and I gave it our all in the end, even though we tied,” said senior Team Captain Jaden Harriman. “I thought that we definitely picked up the intensity after the first half. We had our heads down…but we picked it up especially in the last 10 to 15 minutes of the second match.” 

In the final minutes of the game, both teams strained to score a goal and break the lingering tie. However, each player was perfectly matched, resulting in the ultimate score of 0-0. Nonetheless, everyone showed amazing effort and persistence during the game.

This day also carried a sentimental value for 14 of the upperclassmen players; it was Senior Night. 

“I think we did amazing as a team,” said Buckmaster. “In my four years of playing varsity, I’ve never had a team that’s played together as much as [we] have this year. Everyone always gives it their all and I couldn’t be more proud to play with the team I’m on.”

Keep up the great work, Apaches!

Photo courtesy of AUSD DCI Intern Vania Ahmadi