![MORE THAN A GAME. With two diving catches in the outfield, the Lions showed up defensively, aiding in their victory over the Pacers. One catch was made by Atwood, and the other by McGraw. Throughout the game, the Lions knew that it wasn’t just about their victory today. “I think [playing for cancer] makes it bigger than just a game,” McGraw said. “Knowing that you have a bigger impact in this world than just who you are as one person.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/I70A1454-1-1200x800.jpg)
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On Sept. 4, the mens varsity soccer team won its first home game of the season with a score of 2—0 against Crescent Valley High School.
Coming out strong in the first half with goals occurring at 13 and 30 minutes into the game, neither team was able to add to the scoreboard in the second half, leaving the Lions the victors at the end of the night. Cooper Gilbo, senior, is a left wing for the team, and scored the second goal of the game.
“We definitely started strong, two goals early,” Gilbo said. “Slow start to the second half, but we picked it back up and secured the shutout.”
Having completed tryouts and practices before the season started, the team has now been able to put their hard work into play.
“We’ve been focusing a lot on moving the ball fast [and] switching the field these past weeks, and it definitely showed today,” Gilbo said.
However, there are still things that players like Gilbo are working on to be better players and help the team succeed.
“We’re definitely strong in the midfield, breaking lines, getting through,” Gilbo said. “I just need to be more focused at times, [because] maybe against a better team in the league that would result in a score.”
Working as a unit is also important, and team bonding after the game can contribute to this. The team went to Killer Burger in celebration after the game finished, and before the game began, played “The Imperial March” by John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra from “Star Wars” while exiting the locker room.
In the stands, fans came out to support the team for their first game, cheering at every save and goal. Joaquin Gomez, sophomore, a member of the mens Junior Varsity (JV) soccer team, was at the game with other players from the JV team.
“After both goals, the fans were going pretty crazy; it was a good audience,” Gomez said. “And after some saves from Finn [Ryan] and Will [Seibert], the fans were pretty excited.”
So far, with two wins and no losses, Gilbo hopes that this game is a reflection of the team’s success for the rest of the season, that it is only just beginning.
“[Today] kinda just shows how we play,” Gilbo said. “Great game, [we] hope to see more of that type of play throughout the year.”
The varsity team will play its next season game at home against Sherwood on Sept. 9.
