SAN JOSE, CALIF.—About two months before the Silver Creek Boys soccer team’s first game, Jan. 11, 2023, the team is participating in off-season activities to improve their abilities.

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With tryouts already being concluded and the team already starting practice, along with other things, athletes participate in activities set up by coach Michael Anchondo. The schedule for the team has already been set along with other teams in the West Valley Division participating in Blossom Valley Athletic League. The teams placed in the division are Piedmont Hills, Gunderson, Independence, San Jose, Oak Grove, and Silver Creek. 

According to some information gathered from athletes on the team, during practice, they have various activities that help focus on basic fundamentals that are used in soccer. This includes drills that include shooting the ball, dribbling, running, passing, and other things. They also stretch before practicing to ensure that they are well-prepared for the day. Stretching is necessary for sports teams to help decrease the risk of injury, enhance the range of motion, increase muscle blood flow, and other benefits that are vital.

The team also practices by playing other teams in their division in scrimmages. These games don’t go into the regular season record and are just fun games for coaches and players to test what they have learned or to see what the other team’s experience is. Another type of practice the team does is when they play against their own teammates. This way players and coaches can find out what everyone else does and what skill level or position they play best.

The schedule for the team as written by West Valley Division includes a game limit of 20 games, two scrimmages, and one Non-CIF contest. For the division Silver Creek is playing in, there are 10 games, five home games while five away games, one CCS Seeding Meeting, and a CCS contest. The teams, all Varsity teams play every game their team participates in. However, for Junior Varsity teams the games might not include JV. This is because soccer games taking place at Independence High School don’t allow JV teams. Games for JV start at 5 p.m. while Varsity starts at 7 p.m, and Varsity only starts at 6 p.m. when they are playing at Independence.

Freshman soccer player, Amay Monga, commented on what made him join the soccer team. “I wanted to join the soccer team because I have been playing soccer almost my whole life and it was a fun chance to play soccer with my friends.” said Monga. He also commented that his team needs to improve on their communication in the game. His coach put him to play center mid. Monga said that he has enjoyed making new friends on the team.

The Silver Creek’s boys soccer team first game is going to be scheduled for Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. However, the game is only Varsity since it is taking place at Independence high school. This means that Junior Varsity will have their first game on Jan. 13 at 5 p.m and Varsity at 7 p.m.