It was a monumental season for Ramsey boys soccer. We were county tournament finalists, which had only happened two other times in Ramsey’s history and we ended with an outstanding record of 16-3. Throughout our successful season, I would constantly get asked by my Dad what has changed from last year. I could never give him a straight answer. I’d go to practice wondering if maybe our success is coming from changes in practice or changes in our formation. I’d pay even more attention to our games trying to figure out what it was that drove us to victory. However, it wasn’t until after our season, looking back, that I could finally give my dad a real answer. I realized what changed wasn’t the practices or the coaches decisions, however, it was the fact that we were a family and not just a team. It was the witty banter at pasta parties and practices, the constant “grubbing” at various places in Ramsey, and playing soccer in Souza’s basement that propelled us from a team to a family. I have been on numerous soccer teams and I had never felt more a part of a family than I did this year.

When I was first asked to write an article summarizing my season, I immediately turned to my teammates for help. I thought how can I, one person, accurately portray our whole season in an article. A season filled with success and hard work from everyone, not just me. However, there is one story that I feel represents our team as a family and shows why we were county tournament finalists. It was the day before the first round of states and we were all high strung knowing that it’s either win or go home from this point on. We were having a team meeting discussing the possibility that tomorrow could be the last time playing together when the voice of our sophomore defender, Tanner Kleinberg, spoke up. He told us that he knew it could be the last time the seniors ever step on the field again. He said he was willing to do whatever it takes to win and was ready to fight for the seniors to make sure they’d be able to put on a Ramsey jersey one more time. Apart from getting our team absolutely hyped, Tanner’s message did so much more. For one, it showed me how close we had gotten as a team but more importantly it taught me a valuable lesson. It taught me to fight for those around me no matter your grade, age, or if you even get playing time. Our success this year derived from how we worked together as a team. Early on, we learned to be accountable for the people around us. It was players like tanner who were committed to the game individually that led to a group's effort toward a common goal. If everytime we stepped on the field and played with only our own agenda in mind, we would not have been as successful as we were, and Tanner’s speech helped me to realize this. Our success was dependant on the entire team working together and not merely for themselves.

What I’ve learned from this season shaped me as a soccer player but more importantly as a person. As I go on to play collegiate soccer I now know the majority of my success will be dependant on so much more than just myself. While my soccer career at Ramsey High School has come to an end, this year was definitely the most important season of my life. While our success on the field contributed to the most important season of my life; ultimately, it is the lessons that I’ve learned, the bonds that I’ve made, and the family that we’ve created that will last forever.

By Justin Siegel, senior