On Feb. 1, the varsity boys soccer team faced El Camino High School, claiming a victory with a final score of 8-2. The game was marked by effective Aragon communication and offense.
The Dons started strong, scoring twice in the first fifteen minutes of the game. By the end of the first half, the Dons remained in the lead with a score of 3-1.
The second half started with a goal scored by senior and midfielder Ranier Plantinos, who remained a key player throughout the game. Aragon’s fluid passing and communication continued, with only one fumble which allowed El Camino to break through with a goal.
Senior and forward Aldo Severson scored during the second half with an assist from senior and midfielder Hector Bonilla.
The El Camino coach shouted to his players, “Look who’s coming back on the field!” Aragon blew El Camino out of the water with a final score of 8-2.
The varsity boys season has started off in much better shape than last year’s season. Comments senior Hector Bonilla, “I feel really confident about our team so far this season. We’ve had a lot of injuries, but the team has still managed to keep going.”
A few things have changed since last year’s soccer season. The varsity team has a new coach, Greg Markoulakis, who team members think has helped improve their abilities to play. “Our coach has played a major role in our success this year. He’s caused a major turnover from last year’s team; he hasn’t just helped us work physically, but he’s prepared us mentally as well,” explains Bonilla.
Junior and defender Connor Kenny agrees, saying, “[Markoulakis] is great. He has definitely brought our game to a whole new level.”
Plantinos adds, “He understands us and knows the game very well. Our coach makes sure we are always focused either at practice or before our game.”
Markoulakis has also improved the way the team practices, bringing new techniques onto the playing field. Kenny comments, “We have a better structure than last year with our new coach, and it’s helped a lot.”
But, the real difference between this year and last year is the chemistry amongst the players. Plantinos explains, “The difference this year is that our chemistry is so good and we understand that we have the passion to win which is most important.”
Kenny adds, “The atmosphere has changed. We all work well together and don’t fall apart like last year. Camaraderie does play a role on and off the field.”
The varsity boys team has experienced multiple injuries this season. Kenny, Plantinos and senior Osmar Romano have been injured during this season.
Kenny, who suffered a broken arm, explains, “This season has been really unlucky as far as injuries for us. As for me, hopefully I will be back within a week from now and be able to help our team to a championship!”
Plantinos, who was also injured earlier during the season, comments, “It hurts our team because we have less substitutions, but anyone on the team is capable of playing well. We’re all recovered, but we still play with a few knocks.”
After a less than successful season last year, the team dropped to the Ocean League this year, a lower division from where they played last year. Bonilla explains, “It’s a good thing and a bad thing. We want more competition because we are a good team and want to show we don’t belong in the lower division.”
Plantinos agrees, saying, “I don’t like being in the lower league because I know this team could compete in the higher league. Our team is definitely going to be able to play in the higher league next year.”
Yet, the Dons keep it positive, no matter where they play. Kenny explains, “You always want to play the best so the lower league isn’t great but on the other hand it really helps our team confidence, especially with a new coach. This year I think it was important to be in the lower league to try to figure things out but after this year, no more.”
Plantinos finishes, “Our team is definitely going to be able to play in the higher league next year. Our JV team is undefeated as well. There are some talented kids at Aragon.”
