It’s been a perfect season so far for the Woodstock High School soccer team. As of Oct. 4, the Streaks have an overall record of 20-0, 11-0 against conference teams. Out of those 20 games, they’ve scored 73 goals and only allowed eight.
Head coach Matt Warmbier says his team has a nice balance and can offensively produce different things. He credits the depth of his team as one of the keys to success.
“A few kids have stood out, but the biggest thing is there is always someone who can step up and make a difference,” said Warmbier. “If someone gets hurt, the next person in line comes in.”
He credits the level of experience of his players with their success as well, with all but three players coming to the team from local travel teams. Many of them even played on the same team before high school so they came into the season with some team chemistry already.
Prior to taking over as the head coach this season, Warmbier coached JV at WHS for the last eight years and club soccer for 10.
Starting the season with six returning varsity players, he said the team is mostly made up of JV players who moved up to varsity this year. Warmbier coached many of his current players on JV and some on club teams before high school.
Warmbier instills the concept of the team as a family to his players and he feels that attitude has helped them achieve the level of success they’ve had so far.
“I tried to stress – even in the off-season – that we need to make sure we’re there for one another always,” he said. “We’ve done an excellent job of building that chemistry with each other.”
In addition to great depth, the Streaks have some individual standout players. The three team captains have been strong contributors, with senior Josue Carreno leading the team with 18 goals and five assists. Junior Caleb Warmbier leads in assists with 15 and has seven goals. Sophomore Angel Arias has contributed six goals and eight assists.
“[The season] has been really fun and tough. We’ve had to play hard,” said Arias.
During the season, Carreno missed four games due to injury, but Coach Warmbier said they just used the next man up. He said, “Our motto for the season has been, ‘It doesn’t matter who’s out. We’re comfortable with all of our bench.”
Warmbier called freshman Oscar Escorza a fresh new face on the team. Escorza has racked up seven goals and six assists.
“I’m very excited with how we’ve come together,” said Caleb Warmbier. “We’re able to play with each other and when things get down, we’re there for each other.”
Also playing the position of kicker on the Blue Streaks varsity football team, Caleb Warmbier said both teams have a great bond.
He admitted the soccer team has some tough games coming up, but said, “I think we can honestly make a run for [post-season play]. The sky’s the limit.”
The team’s final regular season game is a Kishwaukee River Conference matchup against the Harvard Hornets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, in Harvard. Though the Streaks served up Harvard’s only conference defeat so far, they are taking nothing for granted as they prepare. As of Sunday, Oct. 8, the Hornets were 6-1 in conference play with two conference games to go before they meet Woodstock.