The first goal of a soccer game is like none other. As momentum shifts and the crowd begins to roar, the players and coaches are unfazed because they believe in one another and their purpose of being there.

Coach Hovsepian, the head coach of the Forest Hills High School Soccer team stresses the importance of camaraderie on the team outside of practice.  “I like to do all off field bonding, so some of the things we have done in the past is we’ll all get together and go to an MLS game [or an] NYCFC game, where I’ve had a lot of my seniors participate pitch-side with the professional team as ball boys.”

The time spent off the field is just as important as the time spent on the field. This time allows the players to get to know each other so that they are all on the same page.

How does the team come together amongst the diverse personalities in the locker room? According to Senior Patrick Hernandez, a teammate since freshman year, “You have to understand there [are] different types of players. Some wanna be hard, some more like jokey, but, you know you have to understand who’s who. I understand how to deal with them.”

Senior Reynel Puello adds, “We just deal with it by communicating and just trying to do what is best for the team, not ourselves.”

Coach Hovsepian also touched on the topic of dealing with a diverse locker room. “You just have to adapt as a coach and work with everybody.”

To Hovesepian, in order to be successful everyone has learned to adapt and play for one another at young ages. This ensures all teammates are on the same page on the field.

The players are held to high expectations. “Ultimately [the boys] know what’s expected and they know what to do. It’s something that we’ve discussed in training the day before or throughout the week. So it’s not just game day, it’s everything that leads up to game day.”

Along with these high expectations brings success and potentially the opportunity to play in college. Patrick Hernandez says he is already anticipating his future in the sport. “Right now, I have an offer from D1 [at] Iona [College].”

The games continue to be exciting and entertaining, despite the incredible work put in by the team and Coach Hovsepian. Hills looks forward to the rest of the 2024 season.