The Lincoln Lion boys’ soccer team is making a strong playoff push with their current record sitting at 5-3-2.
After making it all the way to the championship game last year, they have high expectations.
“One of our main goals is to get back to the championship game like we did last year,” head coach Frank Balcarcel said. “Always one of my big goals is to try to minimize injuries, especially because we played so many games and so many practices.”
Coach Balcarcel emphasized that leadership and senior experience will be key for the team’s success.
“So, I think there was some expectation on Mason DiDomenico and Tre Baker,” he said. “They’re our seniors. They’re very technical, they’re fast. They’ve been playing soccer since probably the day they could walk. Those are, I think, impact players that we hope kind of take the lead and take this team where it should go.”
One of the biggest challenges this season has been combining different play styles. Many of the players come from different club teams, which means they’re used to playing in different systems. According to senior captain Conor Johnson, the main goal has been figuring out how to blend those styles into one united approach.
“The goal for the team is to combine all the kids who play different clubs, to bring them together and to have all their play styles kind of connect as we only have two months to gear up for the season and now we are about six games in,” Johnson said. “We need to really use every player we’ve got as lots of kids are getting injured to put the best team out there on the field, in our best to win every single game.”
With key wins under their belt and progress shown against tough opponents, the Lions are aiming to carry their momentum into the rest of the season and finish strong.
Come support the Lions at their next game against West Warwick High School on Oct. 7.
