On Jan. 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Gabrielino High School’s varsity boys soccer team beat Rosemead High School, 4-0, at Gabrielino. Being the very first win of the season, it was an exciting moment for the team.

Previously, the boys soccer team lost a game on Jan. 25 against Arroyo High school, 2-4. From then on, the team has improved substantially and it shows. Even though it was difficult in the beginning, this game with Rosemead gives hope for bigger and better things.

“We were able to win and we went out there and had fun. It was overall a team performance, I think.” Varsity captain, Sebastian Jimenez, senior, said. “We all had fun and we were all family. We were able to just play well with each other and come out with a win.”

The game was also exciting for the team because they consider Rosemead High School their rival school.

But to the team, playing the game is not just about winning.

“We tried our best, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the best out of it.” senior Brandon Lopez explained.

One reason for this might be the level of support from the field. Although it can be overlooked; effort and support are two of the most important aspects of any sport.

Reflecting on team dynamics, Jimenez stated, “I think something that I could have done differently was just stay focused throughout the game and encourage our team a little bit more.”

In addition to being supportive, having fun during the game is also very important. It gives the players motivation to try their best in the sport, to continue pursuing it, and for some, serves as a great way to escape. Lopez will later go on to say, “I still feel happy because our team had fun.”

Nonetheless, the team ended the game with a bang, winning 4-0, a score that could only happen because of both the players’ and captains’ work and dedication to the sport. Looking ahead, the team hopes to keep improving and win more games.