In the world of Junior Varsity soccer, the outcome of a game is often decided long before the half-time whistle blows. It is easy to grow accustomed to comfortable leads and low-stakes competition. But the moment you step onto the varsity field, those comforts vanish. Here, the clock is your enemy. The pace is punishing, and the margin for error completely disappears. The transition to the varsity level is more than just a jersey change. It is the moment where the speed of the game finally catches up with the ambition of the players. 

One of the biggest demands of shifting to the varsity level is the mental toughness required. Both sophomore Dario Macias and Johann Nunez agree that mastering the ability to keep cool under pressure is integral to success. However, both players admit that finding this balance is still a work in progress. “When games get out of hand, we can often play with our emotions rather than our ability,” Dario admitted, reflecting on times when the heat of the moment threatened to overshadow the team’s technical ability. He noted that leading with frustration often leads to bad decisions, but the team has grown to stay cool under pressure. Johann echoes this sentiment, adding that “consistency has been a weakness, especially under pressure,” but has since learned to “trust each other during tough moments” on the field. 

Although the physical and mental shifts are vital, both athletes cited a deeper part of their transition— building team chemistry with veteran varsity athletes. On Friday nights, after an intense week of training, the team gathers at a teammate’s house for a traditional team dinner. These meals are the foundation of the trust seen on the field, building bonds that are evident both on and off the field. Dario explains that their chemistry is their biggest strength, because, “When things go bad, the team always has each other’s back,” allowing them to take even the most upsetting of losses in stride. Rather than drifting apart and blaming each other for simple mistakes, they choose to work together even when things get challenging on the field. 

However, the team doesn’t bond only through loud social gatherings—they also connect  over small, shared moments. Before every game, the team engages in a shared prayer that allows them to remain cool and collected during the game, allowing them to effectively separate themselves from the hectic school day at Mitty. These small moments of reverence “help me stay focused and bring us closer as a team,” Johann noted. By the time that they step onto the field, they are no longer a collection of athletes, but a unified team prepared to face even the most difficult of opponents.

And those difficult teams certainly arrive. In the competitive league that is WCAL, no amount of conditioning and drills can fully prepare a player for the sheer intensity some of the games provide. For the Monarchs, two names in particular stand out from the rest: St. Ignatius and St. Francis. These games often serve as a benchmark for the team’s success that year. But at times, even the best version of Mitty’s team struggles to keep up. Matches against these schools are incredibly intense and competitive, as they push this team both mentally and physically.

The weight of this rivalry was felt earlier this season during their matchup against St. Ignatius, with Dario recalling the loss as particularly “demoralizing” for the team. However, that setback set the stage for one of the season’s biggest highlights. During their match against St. Francis, Mitty dominated the field to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory. Yet, their journey still isn’t over. The shadow of their previous loss to St. Ignatius still hangs over the team, especially as they head into a season-defining rematch this Wednesday. 

Beyond these heated rivalry matches and strategic drills lies the reality of being a student-athlete at Mitty. The transition doesn’t only demand more on the field, it demands more in the classroom and at home. Johann admits that the schedule can be quite difficult to manage. With away games often requiring departures as early as 1 p.m, and late practices cutting into study time, organization is crucial. In order to not fall behind, athletes must stay completely on top of their schoolwork. As Johann notes, “Staying organized helps me manage everything.”

For JV players hoping to make the team, Dario and Johann emphasize that humility, hard work, and perseverance are the most important assets to a player’s success. As Dario puts it, players must “play without an ego,” putting aside solo ambitions to help their teammates. As the Monarchs prepare for their rematch against SI this Wednesday, these sophomores have proven that while the speed of the game has increased, their ability to adapt has made them successful players on and off the field. With goals of winning league, CCS, and state titles still on the table, their journey is only beginning.