Soccer teams from across Northwest Indiana all gathered at the Andrean High School soccer fields today to celebrate the upcoming soccer season with a successful jamboree. The soccer teams that were invited and played today were Andrean, East Chicago Central, Hebron, Hobart, Illiana, Lake Central, Lowell, Merrillville, Morgan Township, Morton, Portage, and Valparaiso High Schools.
The event started with the boys playing two 40-minute games followed by the girls doing the same. Andrean and Rensselaer kicked off the jamboree playing on the main soccer field alongside Illiana and East Chicago who played on the practice field.
Those on the practice field weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty or in their case their uniform. Mud was the enemy for both teams as it would attack as soon as the first move was made.
The stands had eager soccer enthusiasts cheering on the different soccer teams. Concessions were open for a midday snack for the long day ahead.
“It's the kickoff to the season,” said Andrean Athletic Department Administrative Assistant, Amy Moynihan. “It builds excitement for the season to begin, and I think that it's a great opportunity for all the soccer community to come together.”
The soccer jamboree is an important event for the high schoolers as it kicks off their season and introduces them, their team, and their skills. It helps them play with confidence and build trust as a team and within each other.
“Today they were able to play against other varsity teams and see where we stand which is really important,” said Andrean Varsity Boys Head Soccer Coach, Joseph O'Neill. “I think it was a great testament to the strides that we've made throughout the summer.”
After practicing all summer long, the soccer players were ready for their first game as many players and coaches treat the jamboree as a real game.
As it is important to the high schoolers, it is also crucial for the coaches. They get to see where they are strong, weak and where the team needs to improve.
“The coaches create a community and an environment within the soccer program,” said O’Neill.
Every year the jamboree is special for the seniors as it’s their last year to be a part of the team that many have been a part of for four years.
“It's senior year, so that builds excitement and it’s one last hurrah before we graduate,” said Moynihan. “It’s great to see these boys that have grown up together, being able to play all four years together.”
It’s the time where the incoming seniors take the old seniors' spots and aim to beat the stats of the player before them. For many players, they had to readjust and play a new position that was fresh for them.
“I'm really excited about our seniors that we have though, we have a couple of leaders, a couple of guys that have stepped up and are willing to play in a new position this year as compared to years past.”
Adjusting can be a hard change for some so getting exposure to other soccer teams in the community helps them adjust and adapt during this change in position.
“We had guys in positions that I thought that they could be successful, and it was nice to see today that they either were or weren't,” said O'Neill.
If you have been sitting around waiting for this year’s soccer season to arrive, then you are in luck, as the soccer season has officially begun.