Varsity soccer has shown a continually growing confidence even after recent losses to some of the state’s top teams as well as a loss to the ever present rival LT. 

After starting the season hot at 4-1, the Devils dropped 4 of 5 en route to a now 5-5-1 record near midway throughout the season. But following a recent routing of York High School in a 5-1 home game win, the team has shown through its actions and attitude that they are still a contender, even after the hard fought 1-0 loss to LT.

Central has demonstrated that there is still a strong culture around the team as everyone on the team shares the same ambitions as new juniors join the varsity team and new leaders form from the now seniors of the team. 

These seniors have installed a sense of confidence and desire to win into the new junior class.

“We all want to win state. That’s our main goal. We will be state champions,” said  Midfielder Nick Chung, a current junior who has started for a few varsity games this year. 

According to Chung, this sense of wanting to win has built a strong culture around Central soccer that everyone involved can feel. Chung said the players have a great team spirit which builds an electric atmosphere around the team. 

Chung also talked about how all members of the team have to consistently work hard and be an example to the younger players in the program. Even the juniors who are playing their first year of varsity are put to high expectations, with help from the current seniors.

“I feel pressured to play well and pull my own weight, but everybody is held to high standards, and the seniors have been very welcoming to all of us,” said forward Jacob Marquez, another junior who has made a few varsity starts this season.

After the close game loss to the rival LT, all players are focusing on what is ahead rather than stressing about what has already happened as a home game against Glenbard West is just around the corner. 

Sitting at their current record at exactly .500, this game truly matters not just for the players, but for setting the momentum for the bottom half of the season.

Yet, all players still hold a growing amount of confidence in their abilities and potential this season as there is still so much soccer that is left to be played and still a state run possibility. 

“Our expectations are to compete and continue to work hard…put negative results behind us and continue to work towards getting better as we move towards the postseason,” said Coach Michael Wiggins, who has been the head coach for 18 years.

The next game is Thursday, Oct. 3 at Hinsdale South High School at 6:30 p.m.