Taryn
This year, the boys’ varsity soccer team is ready for a strong season. Lucas Wiley, a returning player who has been on the team for the last two years, says he is excited not just for himself, but because “some friends made the team.” Tryouts are challenging, starting with “small-sided games” and moving to “full field 11 v. 11 matches, along with an under six-minute mile test,” Lucas states. To prepare, he explains that he “plays club soccer year round and runs track and cross country” to stay in shape for high school soccer tryouts.
On the field, Coach Diego Cardona shares that he wants to improve both the team’s bonding and commitment. “The impact that I want to have on my players is that they learn discipline, commitment, loyalty and good character, because all these are the traits they are going to need later in life,” he says. He also hopes to motivate his players before, during, and after games and practices, explaining that he wants to do so by “giving them inspirational quotes and positive reinforcement.”
Additionally, Coach Cardona plays a big role in the team’s growth. Lucas explains that, “Coach Cardona is tough on the whole team, pushing us to our limits and knowing what needs to be done to reach our goals. He is all about playing with passion and giving your best effort.” Early morning practices at 6 a.m. help new and returning players get to know each other and build strong teamwork for the season.
Ultimately, Coach Cardona expresses that he loves his job and that he would do it even if he got paid just a penny for it. He wishes for the fans and the school community to see how good his players are, and he wants to represent them on the field; he wants to make them proud. With these amazing players pushing themselves every day, the boys’ varsity soccer team is ready to work hard, play together, and make North Broward proud of them once more.
Moving on to the girls’ team, the season has just started to kick up as well. Tryouts were held on October 13th and 15th. At the tryout, around 30 girls tried out, and towards the end, coach Tricia Amrhein announced that about 20 would make the varsity squad. Calculated, that is about a 66% acceptance rate. As the tryouts concluded, the Coaches decided on a team of 23, including two wonderful team managers.
Starting with the coaches themselves, Tricia Amrhein works here at North Broward as the Athletic director, overseeing all sport-related activities. She works alongside her two assistant coaches, coach Kelsey Blow and coach Rochelle Moncreiffe. Ms. Amrhein, in fact, has been the coach of the girls’ varsity team for so long that she has coached both of her assistant coaches during her career. They are a strong trio, leading the team with drive and passion for the sport.
There have been a total of two tryouts and five practices since the season started and the girls are working hard this year. The tryouts consisted of many running drills and scrimmages, where the student athletes were examined on their skill level, and once training had started, the conditioning did not stop. Several conditioning skills curated by the coaches and even some players are helping to prepare the girls for their upcoming game next Tuesday, October 28th. They will play two teams in two halves during the preseason opener, taking place at home versus Archbishop McCarthy and Cypress Bay.
As the year progresses, make sure to come out and support both your boys and your girls’ teams. There are plenty of opportunities to see them exemplify their talent on the field-your presence makes such a difference.