A strong regular season is coming to an end for the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer team. Both teams are playing their last games of the season and are preparing to make a great run in the district and state tournaments. All their soccer practices, weight room workouts and conditioning are paying off as both teams have had a successful season so far, and by chance, a very similar record. The boys’ soccer team is currently sitting at a record of 7-5-3 overall and ranked fifth in the SIC conference. The girls’ soccer has a record of 7-3-3 and is also ranked fifth in the SIC, as well as fifth in the state of Idaho.
The boys’ team has shown signs of being able to compete with some of the best in the state. Eagle High’s most impressive win was over Thunder Ridge High who is currently ranked fourth in the state of Idaho.
“Our team is just as good or better than anyone else in the SIC. We are going to be a hard team to beat. I expect us to go far in the district tournament,” said senior forward Lucas Boockholdt.
Boockholdt is a unique athlete here at Eagle High. He is one of the key players on the varsity soccer team, as well as the starting kicker on the varsity football team. Both soccer and football are played in the fall, so Boockholdt has to juggle practices and games for both sports at the same time.
“Playing soccer and football is a ton of fun because I am constantly doing something. It can be hard physically so I have to rest as much as I possibly can,” he said. I do my best to make all the soccer and football that I can during the week. I am able to make almost every game for each sport.”
The bond is strong with the boys’ soccer team. Many of the players are best friends with each other and have been playing soccer with each other for many years now. This chemistry can be a difference maker in a team’s success. There are nine seniors on the team, so those nine have been playing together for years now and are ready to take on the district tournament.
“I would say that the team chemistry is very high because we have all been playing together for at least three years, if not more since some of us play club [soccer] together,” said junior midfielder Fidel Reyes-Hernandez.
The girls’ team has also shown that they can compete with the best teams in Idaho. Their most impressive win was over the third ranked team in the state, Mountain View High. They also tied in a close game against Owyhee High who were the state champions in 2023. Due to only losing one game in the regular season, the expectations for districts are high.
“My expectation for the team is to come out with grit and confidence in our game so that we can play the best we possibly can,” said senior mid fielder Brooklyn Baird. “We have worked so hard for this, and we have the talent to make a statement for ourselves, it all comes down to our mindset leading up to these games.”
With nine seniors on the girls’ varsity soccer team this year, the older girls have a lot of experience with preparing and playing in the district tournament. To make sure that the team comes out with confidence and grit to ensure the best outcomes possible, it is partly the senior captain’s job to prepare the team for what is coming up next.
“I need to keep everyone focused and positive as we prepare for the district tournament. If we come out not prepared, the outcome could reflect that,” said senior mid fielder Maggie Poole.
Just like the boys’ soccer team, the girls’ soccer team is filled with friendships on and off the field. Many of the girls have been friends for years. The nine seniors on the team have been playing with each other for years now, and some play together in the winter and spring on their club teams.
“As we have been practicing every day with each other, we have learned how to play with each other which has helped a lot with our success,” Baird said. We know how each other run and move off the ball, which is helpful in big moments and games. We are all best friend with each other and trust each other to make smart decisions and put the work in. So here we come districts.”
Junior Forward Rebecca Gabriele scores a goal against Capital High. Gabriele celebrates her goal with her teammates.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams are ready to take on the SIC in the district tournament as they are wrapping up a successful regular season. Watch out and support fellow Eagle Mustangs as they compete to bring home a trophy to the school.
