Boys Varsity Soccer: Jonathan Berry Smith

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Written by Alyssa Sachs

Saturday, 19 December 2009 20:50

Junior leader of the boys varsity soccer team shows us his views towards the team this year and other insights.

1. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR TEAM?

I believe that this team is full of potential. Out of the 16 people, 14 of us will be here next year, which is a huge advantage for our future program. But for this year, we still have a decent supply of talent and skill amongst ourselves, but I think our strongest attribute is that everyone on the team works hard each day. Even if we face teams that are more skilled than us, if we play harder than they do we can still win, which is why I have high expectations for the team because of our work ethic.

2. BASED ON THE ADDITION OF NEW PLAYERS AND THE LOSS OF SENIORS, HOW DO YOU THINK THE TEAM WILL DO IN SEASON? (PARTICULARLY AGAINST TEAMS YOU STRUGGLED WITH)

Even though we lost a handful of seniors last year, we gained plenty of players who fill their spots. It does not matter to me if we are not as talented as years before, because our new players stand out with their passion for playing soccer and this is important when we face teams like Sage Hill and St. Margaret’s, and could give us a chance to beat them.

3. AS CAPTAIN, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS FOR THE TEAM?

My main goal for the team is to unify our players. On the field instead of being 11 individual soccer players I want us to evolve into 1 unified soccer team. If everyone can work together and have a common goal I believe that our chances for winning league or making CIF will increase.

4. DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL GOALS AS WELL?

My personal goal is to become a role model to my teammates through leading by example. I want to play with passion and pride, and hopefully it will inspire the entire team to step it up and have a desire to play well and win more games. I want to be able to do everything possible to help us win games and I want to improve my skills daily in order to do so.

5. ALTHOUGH THE TEAM HASN’T BEEN TOGETHER FOR THE LONGEST TIME, ARE THERE ANY RITUALS, SUPERSTITIONS, FUNNY STORIES OR INSIDE JOKES ABOUT TEAMMATES YET?

Our team is filled with funny moments, but rarely are they related in any way to soccer. Our topic of discussion ranges from Oreos to Sponge Bob to Face Book Games, but what I think is the most memorable moment was during a bus ride home after playing Costa Mesa. Suddenly from behind me, I heard a few of the sophomores singing songs, and soon after most of the team joined in the sing along. Our songs included Lean on Me and Hotel California, but the importance of the bus ride was that it was an example of team bonding.

6. WHAT POSITION DO YOU PLAY?

I play center defender (but our system involves a flat 4 on defense, so I’m not supposed to play farther back than any of the other defenders like a traditional sweeper.)

7. DOES BEING CAPTAIN MAKE YOU FEEL MORE PRESSURED ON THE FIELD? DOES THE ADDED OR LACK OF PRESSURE IMPROVE YOUR GAME OR MAKE IT HARDER TO PLAY TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES?

Being captain is a thrill both on the field. On the field being captain makes me play a lot better than normal, because I know my teammates expect the best out of me, and I can’t let them down. This helps every part of my game, from communication to aggression, and I also try to lead our team while we play. I also feel like I have an obligation to out play the other team’s captains, because if the opponent’s captains are demoralized, then their entire team will give up.

8. SINCE THE TEAM GENERALLY LOOKS UP TO YOU FOR ADVICE, IS THERE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU TURN TO WHEN YOU NEED HELP OR SUGGESTIONS?

When I need help or suggestions I don’t always have to go to my coach. My teammates are there to support me just like I am there for them. I could ask anyone of them what’s going on in the game, and I will be given a solution to the problem. It makes my jobs less stressful knowing that our team is vocal enough to fix some problems on our own.

9. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING SOCCER?

I have been playing soccer since 1998, so I think it has been 11 years.

10. WHY DO YOU PLAY SOCCER?

I play soccer because I grew up with it and played it my entire life. It is a beautiful game, and I have transitioned from a little kid randomly kicking the ball around to a high school student with experience and knowledge of the game. Having played for so long, I have many memories of practices, coaches, and games and they are all positive and fun to look back at. I also play because I know when I was younger, I fell in love with the game and decided to continue until I reached my full soccer potential, so I owe it to myself to play in order to fulfill my former goals and dreams.

11. DOES SOCCER PRACTICE AND GAMES AFFECT YOUR GRADES AND SCHOOLWORK NEGATIVELY OR POSITIVELY?

Although soccer is time consuming, I believe that it has a positive affect on my grades and schoolwork because everyone needs physical activity in order to stay healthy and function properly. Also, soccer acts as my stress reliever from hours of schooling and it gives me a purpose and something to look forward to everyday. Without soccer I would go home and waste my extra hours sleeping anyway to recover from the day of school.

12. IS SPORTS, PARTICULARLY SOCCER, WORTH THE TIME?

OF COURSE IT’S WORTH THE TIME!!!