It’s been six seasons since Berlin boys soccer has won three games, but this year they’ve crushed that number in spectacular fashion, going undefeated to start 3-0. This stark change is led by their strong core of upperclassmen, one of whom is defensive captain Tucker Bissett.
“Our whole team has just kind of flipped a switch. I think our chemistry has gotten so much better over the years that we’re just different,” Bissett said.
For the team, the success has been a long time coming as almost all of the athletes worked together over the summer. It was during these extra reps that they built not just their skills, but also their togetherness and drive to win.
“We all practiced over the summer, and put in that work, so everybody’s positive, everybody wants to win, and we have a different mindset from last year,” Bissett said.
This synergy and extra work have really been prevalent on the field, with Coach Alex DeLeon seeing an overall change in character and in teamwork compared to previous years.
“Instead of playing like individual players, they are learning to come together and play like a team. That was one of the worst things a couple of years ago. When you’re in high school, everybody wants to be famous, right? I’m a coach who doesn’t like that,” DeLeon said.
In terms of coaching, lots of the focus is on team-centered strategies, and with the team averaging 7 goals a game, it is definitely working.
“We worked on triangle passes, give and goes, and how to send through balls. We’ve been cooking out there, and there’s a lot more to come,” forward Oscar Rivera-Gomez said.
The Indians’ most recent win against Coulee Christian gives them a 1-0 record in the South Central Conference. Seeing as most of the conference is considerably weaker than last year’s ECC, a run at the conference title is not completely out of the picture; however, they’ll have to beat a very familiar face to do so.
“I think we will be close with Wautoma and Adams Friendship, but Ripon, you know, we have a rivalry with them, and they will be the team to beat,” DeLeon said.
As for upcoming games, the Indians head next to Nekoosa tonight at 6 p.m. as they aim to keep their streak alive against the 3-0 Papermakers.
