The Akins boys soccer team began their season recently with multiple wins throughout the pre-season. While currently holding sixth place in district, the soccer team is led by three captains. The Eagle’s Eye interviewed the captains and the coach to get to know the team.
CAPTAINS DIEGO ZUNIGA, ANGEL MANCHA, AND JOSE NUNEZ
EE: How do you feel about this year’s chances of making the playoffs?
DZ: I feel very confident, you know, as we go, it’s a rough, it’s been a rough start. But as we go throughout the season, we’re gonna finish strong.
AM: I think we’re off to a slow start right now because of injuries and, you know, just getting the team chemistry down, but we’ve definitely gotten better. And I think we’re gonna take on the big teams to take on the big teams, and we’re gonna make the playoffs for sure.
JN: I think this year we have a higher chance of making the playoffs. We have a good team, good roster. Everyone you know, we have good technique. Everyone has their own talent. You have some good captains, good keepers. And I think we have a chance to make the playoffs for many reasons. But I think most importantly is because we all want it. We all want to make the playoffs and we are trying to get that win.
EE: Who do you feel is a significant leader and player on this team?
DZ: I mean, other than the captains, I believe, Yomar. Yomar and isay. I mean, I think they’ve been doing pretty good. Carrying the midfield and just creating plays, you know?
AM: Oh, yeah, I would say the captains, but then other than the captains, I would say Manny because he works hard, and he’s always uplifting, and he just does what he needs to do.
JN: I think Yomar is the most significant one. Because, you know, he’s really young. He’s a sophomore, but he’s got a lot of leadership talent. The IQ he has on the field,it’s not normal for his age. I think he’s really overdeveloped and he really puts a lot into the team.
EE: What are one of the best moments of your high school career so far?
DZ: One of the best moments. Uh, my sophomore year, we had a really good squad. We got three wins. We started off with three wins. And then we tied Bowie, so we had a really good start in one of those wins against Del Valle. And that game was so intense, and it was at DV (Del Valle) so there was a lot of background to that game. So it felt good beating DV in front of our people.
AM: One of my greatest moments was, I gotta say, like, it’s obviously scoring as a defender. You don’t really get to go up as much and hit some sidewalls into the back of the net, you know. Hays last year, it was pretty much the first goal. And I set the tempo for the rest of the game. You know?
JN: I got many, but I think my most favorite one is scoring Stevie at their home last year. Tighten up the game. Last couple minutes, though it was a good vibe. The fans watching everyone cheering I think it was a good game.
