During the Aug. 30 Jonathan Alder 0-0 draw, the boys soccer team lost three key players due to in-game injuries. Over the next few games, multiple defenders, midfielders and strikers also went out. The injuries forced the team to make adjustments to lineups and formation, head coach Jason Goggins said.
Five starters were out during the 2-0 loss to Central Buckeye League opponent Worthington Christian Sept. 3, Goggins said.
“Obviously, losing four to five starters will negatively affect the performance on the field,” Goggins said, “but they were a good team anyways.”
Senior Espen Price, a team captain and defensive midfielder, injured his foot during the loss, Goggins said.
Junior defensemen Avner Levin said he has been fighting a foot injury since the end of last season and was out during the loss.
Even without key players, the team went on to defeat several competitive teams in the next four games, Goggins said. He said most of the team’s recent success is due to players stepping up in their positions.
“Jack Ryan and Luke Helon both came in and have been phenomenal for us,” he said.
Levin said he has noticed increased competition in the practices after the injuries.
“I love the competition within the squad right now,” Levin said. “Everyone is fighting for a spot on the starting lineup.”
A big reason behind their wins is the players’ efforts, Goggins said. Competition for playing time has made them work extremely hard to earn a spot on the field, he added.
Goggins said he is very hopeful for the future of this team because of their new depth.
“Before the injuries, we might have had two or three guys we felt comfortable bringing off the bench,” he said. “Now there are up to seven players on the bench I feel very comfortable putting on the field.”
Price said he believes this team has a new identity.
“The boys have definitely been more communicative,” Price explained. “It seems like the energy is definitely higher.”
Price said he has also noticed a new trend in coaching tactics. Because of the injuries, new players are getting subbed out at a higher rate, he explained. The subbing of players has been critical to the team’s success, as the team won 3-1 against Grandview in an intense game, he said.
Since none of the injuries will take players out of the game for the whole season, Price said the team will be at its best during the playoffs.
“Everyone on the bench really wants to get back out there,” he said. “Once everybody can get back, we’ll all contribute.”
Levin said the team has not lived up to expectations this year but hopes that will change once more players return. In the meantime, uninjured players have done a great job stepping in to start, he added.
“These setbacks give the team a lot of momentum because we have new players starting and playing the entire game,” he said.
Published and digitized October 2025.
