The Fuquay-Varina Bengals varsity mens soccer team has faced a tough schedule this fall and currently sits at 5-5-2. Through 12 matches, the team has scored 19 goals with nine assists and taken 143 total shots. The numbers show progress, but the team says the real growth has come from learning to play together.
Senior Roman Rup said the improvement is easy to see.
“I think the team’s performance has been quite good throughout the season, and we have definitely improved a lot,” said Rup.
He pointed out that the 2-2 draws against Green Level and Green Hope as big moments for the team.
Senior Milton Gomez-Perez said chemistry has been key.
“At the beginning of the season, we were 50/50 with communication, but now everyone’s getting a lot better,” said
Gomez-Perez. He also explained that injuries including his own MCL sprain, have been tough to push through.
Junior Vasilyev Vsevolod agreed that teamwork has carried them forward.
“I think the team is really strong, and the chemistry has just grown a lot,” Vsevolod said. He added that beating Holly Springs and bouncing back to tie Willow Spring were some of the best moments of the year.
Head coach Jared Smith said he’s proud of how players stepped up when others were injured.
“A couple of our key players have been injured, and players have had to step up and fill the spots that those injuries have created,” said Jared Smith.
He also gave credit to captains Brayden Harrer and Kenny Lozano, along with exchange student Mateusz Cebulak, for leading the team on and off the field.
So far, the Bengals average 1.6 goals per game and take around 11 shots each match. They’ve put 85 of those shots on target, but accuracy is still something they want to improve on.
The JV team has also had a strong season, posting a 7-4-1 record. They’ve rolled through several opponents, with big wins like 5-1 over Willow Springs, 3-0 against Clayton, and 4-1 over Southeast Raleigh.
Sophomore Drew Smith said the team has grown a lot since the start of the year.
“At the beginning of the season we didn’t know how each other played, but now we’re learning how to trust each other and succeed in plays,” said Drew Smith.
He admitted the season has had ups and downs but said the team is starting to click. One of his favorite moments so far was scoring his first goal against Willow Spring.
Freshman Ryan Davis also noticed how the team has come together.
“Our first couple games were rough, but as we got to know each other better, we started to play better,” said Davis.
He called the 5-1 win at Willow Spring the biggest highlight of the season so far. For next year, his goal is simple: go undefeated.
Sophomore Jason Christain said the team has made clear improvements on the field.
“At the start of the season, we couldn’t really move the ball as well, and now we’re working on finding more space and passing,” said Christain.
He also credited sophomore Ben Foote and freshman Ryan Davis for stepping up as leaders and helping keep the team organized.
With both varsity and JV showing growth, the Bengals are building chemistry that could pay off now and in future seasons.
