After a tough back to back scoring battle, the Milford varsity boys’ soccer team finally won against Lakeland on Aug. 22 with a final score of 2-1.

This marked the first time in eight years that the boys beat Lakeland and is the highlight of their season so far, said Junior Co-Captain Kyle Monagle. Monagle is one of the three Co-Captains along with Dylan Polcyn and Alex Vogal.

“We started off the season really well and had a lot of opportunities,” said Coach Winn Harper, “But we just had difficulty finishing.”

Harper has been coaching for 19 years, but this is only his second year at Milford. Harper’s main focus, however, is not the team’s record, but team improvement and bonding as a team.

The team is determined to improve despite a losing record. Monagle said players often are down after losing. “But we know we have to come more prepared and ready for the next game,” he said.

The players have been improving their teamwork, which is the main focus this year. Harper recalled the team was focused more on individual skill last year.

“Creating space for themselves and others” is one of the things that the team is doing well, Harper said. This means moving into open space instead of a crowded area on the soccer field.

“[The team] improved a lot from last year,” Monagle said, “But [it] is a work in progress.”

Both Polcyn and Monagle have been playing soccer for 12 years and are happy about their leadership positions on the team.

“It’s nice when people listen to you,” Polcyn said, “The team has a good group of kids.” The varsity boys’ soccer captains are true leaders both on and off the field. Monagle said, “We all get along really well.”

Polcyn and Harper both agree in that there is a lot of potential to win, with Harper encouraging that the team just needs to work on scoring. Polcyn and Harper as well as the rest of the team, know that it doesn’t matter if they win or lose, they still love the game.

“Just being around all your friends and having a good time” is what Monagle said makes the game fun.

The boys competed in districts against Lakeland High School on October 18.

Unfortunately their game ended and Milford lost with a 2-1 score. Kevin Veeder scored Milford’s only goal.