The Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys’ soccer team currently has a record of 8-3 going into the last couple of weeks before playoffs. The team lost 12 seniors from last year’s team due to graduation, leaving the program with many underclassmen. Despite having many new faces and younger talent, they have great team chemistry and high hopes for the rest of the season and section playoffs.
There have been difficult practices and challenging moments, but the team has created strong chemistry and has been able to bond in a variety of ways. “All of the summer training and brutal practices during the summer heat have brought us together… We went to the Carver County Fair together as a team so it has been a great time,” senior Ben Watts said.
This year’s team has differed greatly from years past as there has been more engagement and activities outside of the soccer pitch. “Outside of soccer, we have had more bonding events where we eat at people’s houses, we spend time with new teammates… And I think everyone has really just been more inviting for each other,” senior captain Ben Dietzen said.
Outside of soccer, we have had more bonding events where we eat at people’s houses, we spend time with new teammates… And I think everyone has really just been more inviting for each other.
— Ben Dietzen
Unique perspectives have been given about how the team is so closely bonded. Senior manager Adam Backman has seen the players grow with each other from the sideline for many different reasons. When asked about the unity of the team, Backman was excited to share his thoughts. “The players meet with each other individually to mesh with them… Also, all of our captains do a really good job of leading our team when fighting against adversity which builds a brotherhood,” Backman said.
After graduating many players and key leaders, the team has needed senior leadership to keep everyone positive. Many players on the team have been great role models for the younger players. “I’d say Dylan Remjeske has definitely been a big morale guy, he is always leading the team on and off the field. I’d also say another leader would be Aidan Fischer; he has just been a great teammate to the underclassmen,” Watts said.
The soccer team has a wonderful superstition to get locked in before games that link the team in special ways to build great chemistry. “We pray right before every single game,” freshman Nick White said.
The team hopes to finish the season off stronger than last year when they lost to DeLaSalle in a tough section-final game. The team is feeling confident this year as they hope to end their season on a high note. “For sections, we are hoping to win that and then make it to state,” senior Landon Hall said.