Kalani High School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams come into the winter sports season strong and motivated, ready to work hard and take that OIA and possible state title.
Kalani girls, in particular, have some pressure considering the big OIA win they clutched last year.
“The Kalani girls soccer team clinched their first OIA league championship in a thrilling 3-2 win over Leilehua,” ESPN Honolulu says.
Last year was Kalani Girls’ first OIA D2 championship.
“I think we’re held to a standard now, and our coaches expect us to play at that level,” Lauren Kim (11) says.
The boys’ team may just as well feel the same amount of pressure. The stakes are high and there are plenty of talented boys teams across Oahu and Hawaii as well. To be successful you need a growth mindset and be realistic.
“I believe the standard is always high; it’s very intense, but you have to try hard,” Vincent Masseratti (12)
With such a high standard for the boy’s team, it could probably be just as much pressure for the junior varsity boys who want to take a shot at getting a spot on varsity. \
Not only this, but there is a new boys’ coach this year, Jaymes Barlos. He so happens to have a son, Carlos Barlos, who is on the team and trying out for varsity. Barlos knows he doesn’t have an automatic spot on varsity, especially since he wasn’t on the team last year. He has to work just as hard as the rest.
“I am going to hold myself accountable to the highest standard I possibly can to improve not only my gameplay and interactions with my teammates but also my coach,” Carlos Barlos (10) says.
Coach expectations aren’t the only type of expectations going around; there are also personal and team expectations. The performance you expect from yourself and what you are expecting from your teammates. That goes from maturity and seriousness to chemistry and connection.
“As a senior, I want to keep my juniors and underclassmen in check,” Mazzeratti says. “I wanna be a good role model for them and also be a good person on and off the field.”
With the season comes personal and team goals as well, not just expectations. This is something that can be shared. For example, winning championships or earning a spot on varsity. All realistic and possible.
“I definitely think we’re capable of winning OIAs and States,” Vincent Masseratti (12) says.
But again, goals aren’t just given; they’re earned. You work hard and prove yourself to your coaches and anyone who doubts you.
”I think it’ll be difficult for me as a sophomore to secure steady minutes [on vars],” Barlos says. “I am not as physically talented, as fast, or as strong as them but I am going to do the best of my ability to prove myself during tryouts.”
And with that, from coach standards to expectations to goals, let’s see what the boy’s and girls’ soccer teams can bring to this table this year.
