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When he returned for his second coaching stint with the Greenwave boys soccer team, Nate Waite wanted the players to put egos aside and just play the game as a team.
Mission accomplished.
“The improvement that resulted in the biggest overall turnaround for the team was their focus on team before individuals,” Waite said. “There was a good team spirit with the squad this season. I believe the guys liked being around each other and were able to have a good time while succeeding on the field. This unity had some great side effects, which showed up on the field.”
Fallon went from one of the Sierra League's worst teams to the one of the better. The Greenwave (5-7-2) gave up 56 league goals last season, but the defense improved this year in allowing only 24. The offense also improved from 12 league goals to 40.
At the midseason mark, Fallon was alone in fourth place in the league standings, but a couple ties helped Douglas squeak through for the final playoff berth.
“Going into the last match of the season, we could have ended up anywhere from third to seventh place, with four teams fighting for the last playoff spot,” Waite said. “I felt like we matched up well with all the teams in the league. We were never outmanned or outhustled.”
The Greenwave will have some big shoes to fill, though. Fallon loses five seniors — Brandon Anderson, Drew Corbin, Alfredo Gonzales, Noel Uglade and Mason Yates.
But Waite said with more weight-room conditioning and more involvement during the spring, Fallon will be able to overcome next year's challenges.
“We are also looking at putting together a couple of indoor teams, a couple of spring league teams, and having a futbal league going in the winter time,” Waite added. “All of these opportunities are available for any boys seventh grade through high school for athletes who want to improve their skills and become better soccer players. The boys who want to be on a team next year will work to claim that reward, and those who want to become superior will do so.”
Gonzales was one of the league's most prolific scorers as he rewrote the Greenwave record book.
His 18 goals this season tied a single-season record, but he broke the all-time career record with 49. Gonzales, who also had 16 career assists, and Sam Ugalde were named to the all-Sierra League first team.
Rosalio Silva was second on the team with five goals, and goalkeeper Adan Gonzales posted three league shutouts and was named the league's second team. Tamiru Jones and Josh Morrison were honorable mentioned. Yates, Morrison and Seth Price excelled off the field in being named to the all-state academic team.
“All year we had the goal to be state champions, and although we didn't reach that goal for various reasons, I felt the boys worked, achieved and played together like champions,” Waite said.
Mission accomplished.
“The improvement that resulted in the biggest overall turnaround for the team was their focus on team before individuals,” Waite said. “There was a good team spirit with the squad this season. I believe the guys liked being around each other and were able to have a good time while succeeding on the field. This unity had some great side effects, which showed up on the field.”
Fallon went from one of the Sierra League's worst teams to the one of the better. The Greenwave (5-7-2) gave up 56 league goals last season, but the defense improved this year in allowing only 24. The offense also improved from 12 league goals to 40.
At the midseason mark, Fallon was alone in fourth place in the league standings, but a couple ties helped Douglas squeak through for the final playoff berth.
“Going into the last match of the season, we could have ended up anywhere from third to seventh place, with four teams fighting for the last playoff spot,” Waite said. “I felt like we matched up well with all the teams in the league. We were never outmanned or outhustled.”
The Greenwave will have some big shoes to fill, though. Fallon loses five seniors — Brandon Anderson, Drew Corbin, Alfredo Gonzales, Noel Uglade and Mason Yates.
But Waite said with more weight-room conditioning and more involvement during the spring, Fallon will be able to overcome next year's challenges.
“We are also looking at putting together a couple of indoor teams, a couple of spring league teams, and having a futbal league going in the winter time,” Waite added. “All of these opportunities are available for any boys seventh grade through high school for athletes who want to improve their skills and become better soccer players. The boys who want to be on a team next year will work to claim that reward, and those who want to become superior will do so.”
Gonzales was one of the league's most prolific scorers as he rewrote the Greenwave record book.
His 18 goals this season tied a single-season record, but he broke the all-time career record with 49. Gonzales, who also had 16 career assists, and Sam Ugalde were named to the all-Sierra League first team.
Rosalio Silva was second on the team with five goals, and goalkeeper Adan Gonzales posted three league shutouts and was named the league's second team. Tamiru Jones and Josh Morrison were honorable mentioned. Yates, Morrison and Seth Price excelled off the field in being named to the all-state academic team.
“All year we had the goal to be state champions, and although we didn't reach that goal for various reasons, I felt the boys worked, achieved and played together like champions,” Waite said.
