Even though the soccer team is 17-2 on the season, it practices for eight hours a week.

Senior forward Nick Johnson said, “The hardest part about being on the team is being good enough and staying good enough, so I can be able to fill any position.”

Being on the varsity soccer team isn’t as easy as it may seem, “Even though the coaches are nicer than most, being on a losing team would be way easier because the coaches wouldn’t expect as much out of us.” 

He admits that he doesn’t always get along with his teammates, but they share a vision of victory. 

“We all want to win.  We have to get along during practices and while we are on the field.”

This goes with every sport.  It’s not easy to get along with everyone all the time, but if the team wants to be successful they have to get along while they are competing. Most players on the varsity team play soccer outside of school just like most sports.

“I have played club soccer for about 10 years, and I am going to play rec soccer this summer.” 

Like many things that students do at school, parents influence choices.

“I am playing soccer this year because my mom wants me to and she has put a lot of time into the soccer program at Neenah.” 

The varsity team is good this year, so for the players to be able to play in every game means that they have to be highly skilled; therefore, some people would rather play on the JV Red team instead of varsity.

“I would rather play on the JV Red team because it would allow me to get more playing time, but since I am a senior that wasn’t an option.”

Clearly, varsity team status doesn’t appeal to all athletes and love of the game or time on the field trumphs the label.