Boys’ Varsity Soccer has returned for a new season. Coaches and players are excited for their return onto the field. Jonathan Breslow, varsity head coach, has had several years of coaching soccer and is “really pumped” for the upcoming season.

Even though it’s still early, Coach Breslow is optimistic in the outcome for this year “I think we have a chance to compete for a conference title and we’ll see where we’ll go from there.”

Coach Breslow gets his team motivated by “getting their minds focused on the game. [I] try to get them to think about what their job is and if everybody does their job we’ll be okay.”

Coach Breslow is looking forward to the future, but is also looking back to the past. Learning from past seasons he now knows “that practice needs to be taken more seriously.”

If you only see one game in the entire season, see the game where varsity competes with Broad Run on April, 14  “because they are the defending state champions. I think that will be a great test on how well we are doing,” said Coach Breslow.

Q&A with key player: Jonathan Courtney

Q: How do you feel about this new season?

A: “I’m optimistic heading into this new season. A little discouraged after last season but we are also confident and hungry to make a comeback this season.”

Q: Why did you choose soccer as a sport?

A:”Its just the sport I have been playing for so long, you get a feel for it, you get a passion for it. I just had one season when I was a kid but I did really well because of that I started to really like the sport and watching it.”

Q: Is it hard to keep school and sports balanced?

A: “It’s challenging but people at Harvard do it with a much more intense school work so I can manage.”

Q: How can you describe your teammates?

A: “Family.”

Q: What are something that you improved on?

A: “Definitely improved on the ball. I was a little timid last year. I’ve tried improving my fitness. I definitely improved my communication this year.”

Q: Do you have any lucky rituals or things you do before the game?

A: “Usually I’m sort of silent before a game. I try to get really focused. I take the warm ups before the game really seriously because that sets the tone for the game.”