The Lakeview Bulldog Soccer team has started off their season with a bang, going 4-1 in their first five games. The Bulldogs have beaten Niles, Champion, Badger, and Liberty and their only loss being to the Howland Tigers. The Dogs have been working hard all off season to have a great season, so it’s great to see the work paying off. This has been one of the better starts the soccer team has had to a season, and it’s all due to their hard work and determination. 

Hours upon hours were put in this offseason, all throughout winter and summer. The team would meet up and practice during the harsh times in winter, or practice through the vigorous heat in summer, and get their training in. Whether that be lifting weights, running till their legs were numb, or just practicing drills, these boys worked very hard.

Head Coach of the boys Soccer Team Nicholas Facciolo gives us a glimpse into how the season has gone. He says, “This has been one of the longest preseason and beginning of the season we have ever had. The players started working in early December with open gyms and finally had their first two games before school started. I am proud of the dedication from the players and team camaraderie that they have built, it is not common for teams to be as close as this group and it shows in their level of play on the pitch. As we enter the tougher part of our schedule in league play the team will need all players performing at their best to reach our goals.”

The Bulldogs have one of the most talented soccer teams they have had in years, and they knew that in order to show this talent, they had to work very hard. 

Senior Captain of the soccer team, Lucas Redmond reveals what the mindset was behind the team this summer, “We started our training for this season a few months earlier and it is definitely showing now. All of us understand that this is the most talented team we have had in many years and if we worked hard this summer we have a chance to do big things this season. I also think we used this summer to all get closer and bond as a team.”

The Soccer team is really close, and it shows on the field, as not only do they win games, but they have fun doing it. Whether that be shown through their celebrations or smiles while scoring goals, these boys are having tons of fun together. 

Senior Captain and Starting Goalkeeper of the soccer team Anthony Marble-Salem gives some insight on what he wants to see from the rest of the season. Marble says, “The season is going pretty good so far. I’m excited to see how our record will be at the end of the year and how much we can improve from the beginning to end. The main goal for the rest of the season is to get 10+ wins.” 

The team is only getting better and better as the season progresses and they have a lot in store for them. In their latest game against the Niles Dragons, the Bulldogs put up an astounding 9 goals to top off the Dragons. This is one of the larger defeats the Bulldogs have had in recent memory, and they don’t plan on slowing down.  

The Bulldogs still have a ton of season left, and we will see how they finish out. Senior Caden Baldwin says, “The game we are focusing most on is Poland and Girard. We have always had a rivalry with Poland, and last year Girard knocked us out of the playoffs, so we want payback.” 

The Bulldogs start to the season shows how much their worked has payed off and promises a great future for the team.