Spring is on the way, and with that comes many things, including spring sports–more specifically soccer–and the boys started their season last Thursday versus Sonoraville. It was a hard-fought game in harsh conditions. Sonoraville struck first with a header that barely got past the keeper, Josh Graves, who played spectacularly. Later near the end of the first half, the Generals had a chance to claw their way back level. Will Killen had a magisterial run in the eighteen yard box and was tackled viciously; the referee awarded a penalty kick. Denis Viars took the penalty and sent it right at the goalie making the score 1-0 at half. However, confidence was high because they dominated most of the first half, and a goal for the Generals was in the works. But soon, their confidence was dashed as Sonoraville grabbed a second and third goal almost immediately at the start of the second half. Eventually they scored two more slicing through our defense with intricate passing. The score was now 5-0 but our Generals did not lay down and give up. They were rewarded for their endurance with a goal. Junior Denis Viars went on a nice run, and the goalie wrecked him; the referee once again awarded a penalty, but this time Christian Sawyer took the penalty calmly, making the score 5-1, and it stayed that way until the end. Some might consider this disheartening, but I think this can be a catalyst, and we can see our boys get better with each game. This one hurts, but it can only get better, and if they show the same endurance in region games, a state playoff bid is not out of the picture.