Soccer season has started and the varsity boys plan to defend their state title. Tryouts were held this past Monday and Tuesday and while losing nine players from last year, all hope is not lost.

“I’m very happy with the way tryouts went and who came out,” varsity coach Bob Robidoux said. “We lost some very big spots in players that graduated, but I think we did a good job filling them. The kids just coming through the program know the system and they’re picking it up rather well.”

This season the boys will have to step up their game with key players like Nick Burgess, Sam Leighton and Amugo Chukwunenye having graduated.

“This season we kind of lost some of our size with Burgess leaving,” sophomore goalie Cooper Stein said. “We have a lot of smaller kids now that will be playing so physicality might be an issue.”

The boys’ first preseason game will be played against Montverde on Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. on the Melbourne High School fields.

“Expect what the players expect, and that’s winning,” Robidoux said. “That’s the tradition here at West Shore. We set a high standard and everyone knows it. Every other school knows it so they come after us. You guys keep getting fans out here, and we’ll keep getting wins.” 

By Bailey Hetzel