Boys soccer establishes team culture

Lamar Boys Soccer gives more than simply a uniform; it also offers culture, brotherhood, support and more.

Sunny Soeun, the head boys soccer coach, has been employed at Lamar High School for 10 years.When he first started out, the culture was very different, but one thing that has stayed consistent is the students that keep coming back every season for the love of the game. Soeun said this is a large part due to the fact that boys soccer is a successful program at Lamar.

“I think a lot of times when kids see success they want to be a part of it,” Soeun said.

However, that’s not the only reason boys soccer is booming. Senior Pedro Alvarez said boys soccer can also act as a stress relief toward any negative emotions students may be going through.

“I mean, whenever I’m feeling down or anything, I go to a field. I come to Cravens and I just practice,”  Alvarez said. “I just grab some soccer balls, take some shots, and just  run and practice till it clears my mind.”

According to senior Bryan Guijarro, the boys soccer team is not restricted to individuals who are the best soccer players. It offers so much more than that.

“I would recommend soccer to other individuals, even if they don’t know how to play soccer, because I mean why not, just play, make friends and  have fun,” Guijarro said.

Boys soccer also provides a support system, both inside the team and in Soeun, who has acted as a mentor toward the students despite his own personal struggles.

“Coach Soeun is such a great person. He’s been there for me in my best, and he’s also been there for me in my worst,” Alvarez said. “He’s given me multiple chances and he’s gone through a lot himself, he’s gone through so much and that makes him such a good person.”

Soeun pushes the team to set goals and strive for the best. 

“We all love him,” Guijarro said. “He’s a great coach, and he always sets up goals for us.”