By Maya Kostov

“Don’t practice until you get it right, practice until you can’t get it wrong.” This is the epitome of what soccer is about. It’s about doing your best on and off the field, and the TPA Middle School  boys and girls teams are doing exactly that.

Now this season is a little different for both teams because, previously, the teams have been coed. What’s strange about the switch from coed to two teams is that when the kids heard that there would be two separate teams this year, at least 20 extra kids signed up. Many people on both teams love having the opportunity to bond with their teammates and classmates.

The TPA Middle School girls team has had a very good start this season. The team won both of their games and is currently undefeated. Coach Joe Cady says, “I have been extremely impressed with the team so far – with their willingness to learn, and their ability to take direction and instruction. From the very first practice, each week I’ve seen an improvement in their strength, their skill, their teamwork, and their appreciation for the game. I see the goal for the team to be far bigger than just winning. I’m far more interested in the girls learning and improving day to day.”

Kylie Klassen says,” I think that the best thing about this soccer season is that we have a team of all girls because we really understand each other and get along.” Recently, eighth grader Niah Johnson moved to a different state. Though she will be missed, the team will keep playing strong in hopes of staying undefeated.

The TPA Middle School boys team has also had a very good start to this season. Both games were really close calls. Every single person on the team has amazing potential and a lot of them are starting to show it. Each player has had a memorable moment on the team, whether it’s having a funny moment at practice or scoring a field goal in a game.

Coach Isaiah Slucher says, “We have a couple of goals for this season. A big one for us is to learn more and to always be a sponge. So I would say the goal is to be willing learners off and on the pitch. The final goal is to make the playoffs.”

Eighth grader Evan Hackett says,” It’s great to see more of my close friends, and to learn more about the personalities of my other peers.” The coach also says that, “The cohesiveness of the team is outstanding. We work well together and we are willing learners. We have a quote that we say to each other and that is: ‘If we are not making mistakes, we are not learning.’”