Boys’ Soccer Hopes To Reclaim States Title

Albemarle is marching their way to the postseason once again this year, earning a 10-3 record thus far.

“The team chemistry is good and we share the ball well,” junior midfielder Marcel Berry said. “It’s not just one person scoring all the goals or doing everything. It’s a team effort.”

“I’d say good team chemistry and talented players have made us successful this season,” Coach Scott Jackson agreed.

The Pats are still striving towards their 2012 high of winning the State Championships and are keeping that as their goal for this season.

“We just have to stay focused. Sometimes we slack off or do things we shouldn’t be doing. We have to give 100% effort in every practice and every game,” Berry said.

Jackson holds a different viewpoint on his past success; insisting that this is about a new team and new goals. “I don’t think we’re trying to live up to anything. It’s just a new season with new players so we have set new goals.”

Jackson took a break from coaching last season, and brings renewed energy to the field. “It’s great to be back! I missed it a lot. I like working with the athletes every single day.”

“I think coach Jackson brings a lot of energy to the team and he keeps us focused a lot,” Berry said. While a return of coaching staff makes things more familiar, the change to the Jefferson District brings new faces to the Pats’ competition.

Berry thinks the division switch has had a positive impact on the team this year. “I think it helped us because we don’t have to go so far and we get to play teams closer to home. Traveling isn’t as tiring as it would be in the other district,” Berry said.

Coach Jackson is more concerned with keeping the team focused in spite of the division switch, however.

“It [the division switch] made it more difficult to keep [the players] motivated because there are some programs that are not as far along as we are,” he said. “We’re working on staying focused and motivated.”

Staying motivated is a big key this year, as Coach Jackson believes they have plenty of talent and ability to live up to their own goals. The players have confidence in themselves as a team and are enthusiastic about the rest of the season, as well.

“I think we have a good chance of going to States and doing well this season.” Berry said.