After claiming the first place title in District last season, varsity boys’ soccer is returning to the field, hoping to have another successful season and clinch the title of District champions once again.

“I expect to go to playoffs and do very well this season,” senior and varsity team captain Sam Phillips said. “Especially with all of the new guys we have.”

With a whole new team at hand, the team is optimistic about their upcoming successes on the field.

“This season is very different from last year because almost all of our varsity is new guys,” Phillips said. “Last year, 19 of the 26 guys were seniors so it’s very different.”

The boys practice every morning before school to further improve their skills to achieve their goals for the season.

“Practice is intense, because everyone is pushing each other to work harder,” junior Rahul Ramavajalla said. “We all just want to do our best.”

With the season just starting, varsity recently had their first tournament, the Allen Showcase Tournament on Jan. 13-15, where they were named Showcase Champions with most points earned of any team.

“Playing on varsity is a very fast-paced physical game,” Phillips said. “A lot of people are just athletic people that go out and put one-hundred percent on the line every game so varsity is a very intense type of play and style.”

Their district play has just begun. At their first game against McKinney, they tied 0-0 and at their second game against Allen, they also tied 1-1.

“I love the competitive nature of the game,” Ramavajalla said. “My mind is empty of everything but soccer when I play. I feel exhilarated and I don’t focus on anything stressful.”

The overall idea of doing what is best for the team is what really drives the players to do what is needed to succeed.

“You are working as hard as you can so you don’t mess up, because your whole team is relying on you” junior Nick Garcia said. “You just keep thinking ‘I can’t let my team down.’”

Despite all the goals of winning this season, the idea of coming together and creating a team chemistry like no other is also on the agenda for this varsity team.

“I hope we can become more of a team,” Garcia said. “I hope we become like a big family.”

Winning may be an aspect of their competitive nature, but the camaraderie off the field is equally important in developing their team dynamic.

“My favorite part of West soccer is waking up every morning, and getting to play the sport I love with some of my best friends before school every day,” Phillips said. “It’s a very fun thing to do.”