IASAS is around the corner and all teams are working their hardest to prepare. The Boy’s Varsity Soccer team are the defending IASAS champions and are anticipating a hard fight this year.PantherNation asked the captains, Yuto Mizusaka and Sean Chen, questions which reflected on last year, as well as the upcoming IASAS Tournament to be held at ISB on Oct. 12-14..

1. How confident are you in your teammates this year? Do you feel like a strong competitor?

Yuto Mizusaka(12): Very confident. This year, we have more than 10 new players, who are strong and willing

 to give 110% for the team. And also we have 10 returning players who act as role models and take care of younger players. We already feel like a family. Technically, we have lots of room to work on. Passing, shooting, defending, and more. But by IASAS, we will be ready to win.

Sean Chen(12): I feel confident about our team and we are potentially THE team everyone wants to beat at IASAS.

2. Because IASAS Soccer is at ISB this year, will the home field advantage help with performance during a game? Why?

Yuto Mizusaka(12): Of course, the home advantage will help us perform well in the game. We will have a huge crowd, supporting the ISB Panthers. However, we must be careful. We have to stay focused on and off the field to win IASAS. 

Sean Chen(12): The support of the whole IASAS community will surely help in our team’s performance. The support will really motivate us and we all want to win at home.

3. Do you think you can win the gold this year?

Yuto Mizusaka(12):We will win the gold. I am pretty confident. But at this stage of the season, the team must practice with high intensity otherwise, we will not.

Sean Chen(12): I think we have a strong chance of winning gold again this year. The team is really working together and trying their best to hopefully win gold this year.

Based on what the players had to say, it may be a fair assumption that the Boy’s Varsity Soccer team has a very good chance of winning another gold this year. Good luck to all teams this year!

Do you think the boys can do it again? Leave a comment. Go Panthers!

Trent Szydlowski