Every move made in the 2024 boys’ varsity soccer season was filled with passion. The team glided through 18 games of victory, broke two school records, and incredible bonds were formed in the process.
Ranked 10th in the state this year, the boys soared past last year’s 88th rank, Reggie Lara, Head Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach, said. The 18-game win streak broke South’s previous record of 13 wins a row and set a new record of 73 goals made in a season, shattering expectations, Lara said.
The team was headed towards a flawless 2024 season until a flood of injuries and stiff competition from key schools marched in. South was looking at its first conference title in 40 years and an undefeated regular season before facing North at home on October 1, resulting in a 2-1 loss. The team was confident going into the game, senior striker Matteus Johansson said, even though South had many lingering injuries. Ultimately, North played harder, Johansson explained.
“What I saw from the game is that [North] just wanted it more than us,” Johansson said. “High school soccer is a very tough game because it doesn’t matter how talented you are, you can be the best team in the state and still get out [played].”
Senior forward Ronan Kessler sat on the sidelines with Johansson when the team faced North. Kessler was sidelined due to a knee contusion he endured while playing Evanston the previous week. Kessler and Johansson watched every up and down of the game play out, frustrated that they couldn’t help their teammates.
“I had to sit down on the bench not being able to contribute to the team and pray for [them]to do well,” Kessler said “It’s hard knowing that you have no control of the game.”
The North game took a toll on the boys mentally, but a meeting hosted by Lara the next day suggested that the loss could have been a blessing in disguise.
“I said this loss could be a great thing,” Lara said. “In a way, we have been content with how we’ve been playing because we’ve had that undefeated streak. This loss served as a wake up call for us. We’re not as good as we can be, so we need to improve.”
For their final time this season, the Titans faced North on Tuesday, October 29 in the sectional semi final where they fell short once again resulting in a devastating loss with a score of 2-1. Senior center back Paul Scherer was crushed, as he wanted a second chance to move onto a sectional final.
“I just want another shot at them because I know we beat them nine out of ten times,” Scherer said.
Even with the disappointing loss to North and critical injuries, South’s season remains historic. Seven juniors and two sophomores will return for the 2025 season to continue the legacy. Scherer reminisces on the season as a whole, spirited by the connections he’s built throughout his South soccer career.
“In the end, we still had a great season and I had a lot of fun with the boys,” Scherer said. “Even knowing this is how the season ended, I wouldn’t want to play for any other team.”
