The boys soccer team, led by head coach Byron DeLeon, has just wrapped up their 2024 season, which included success, development and another important season to look back on. As they head into the offseason, it’s important to recognize some traditions of the team, the culture for Saint Viator Soccer, what a practice looks like and more information about the team.
The varsity soccer team at Saint Viator totaled at 19 boys, and the season spanned from the end of August to the end of October. They played in the East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC), and play over 20 games in their season. The team consisted of five freshmen, seven sophomores, two juniors and five seniors.
“We usually practice five to six times a week, and the practices were usually around 2 hours long,” said freshman Jack Strahammer. The Saint Viator boys soccer team practices right outside of the school, near the baseball fields. These high-intensity practices are used to develop the skills of each player, better their team chemistry, and also build character upon each individual on the team.
“These practices mostly took place after school and made a big difference to the overall success of our team,” Jack Strahammer said. “We would usually warm up together as a team for around ten minutes, but after that we would get right to building our skills and scrimmaging.”
A game day for the Saint Viator high school boys soccer team involves great preparation and faith.
“Before every game we pray, it’s a tradition before our games,” said freshman Patrick Jonski. Faith is a big part of the team at Saint Viator, and they make sure to incorporate it whether it is a home or away game.
“Our warm-ups are also longer for game days. They last about twenty minutes.”
A typical game day routine at Saint Viator is focused on efficiency and thoroughness. This insures the best possible performance come game time.
In all, the boys soccer program here at Saint Viator has completed another successful season under the coaching of Byron DeLeon, and are looking to grow even for the coming years. The future is bright for the lions, as they hope to return fourteen of nineteen players on the roster.