By BUTCH HARMON
It has been said that teamwork makes the dream work, and that is certainly the case with the Alma boys soccer team this fall.
With a team-first attitude, the Panthers not only secured a share of the Tri-Valley Conference championship when they defeated Ovid-Elsie 2-0 in the second meeting of the season between the conference foes, but also notched 12 regular-season victories, equaling the school record for regular-season wins.
“Team chemistry has a lot to do with our success this year,” coach Nick O’Neill said. “The guys really do like each other, and when we head out to battle each game, it allows us to compete as a team rather than a group of individuals.”
That teamwork is evident by Alma being both a strong offensive team and a strong defensive team. The Panthers scored over 50 goals through the first 15 games of the season, while the defense allowed just 14 goals.
Alma’s offense is balanced. Three players have scored more than 10 goals this season, seniors Giovanni Polini and Josh Morey and junior Brevan Bender.
On defense, junior goalkeeper Korbin Kovac has registered seven shutouts. Putting up a wall in front of him are a defense comprised of defensive mids Jacob Adams and Spencer Benn and defenders Nick Moeggenborg, Adam Moeggenborg, and Brett Stebelton.
The Panthers also feature a solid crew of midfielders, Zach Hanson, Josh Morey, and Kolton Kovac. “Our midfielders balance the team,” O’Neill said. “They also provide a lot of offense and assists.”
As the soccer season heads into October, state is right around the corner, and the Panthers are gearing up for what will be a rugged district that they will host. “It will be a challenging district, with four real solid teams,” O’Neill said. “Any one of the four could win the district. If we play up to our potential and a couple of bounces go our way, we have every opportunity to win the district.”