Following his brother senior Taylor Wilson’s encouragement, sophomore Dylan Wilson, who played on the JV soccer team this year, began playing the sport at age 10. He practiced with his brother every week, enjoying the connection it helped build between them. 

Even so, he at first did not love the intricacies of the sport. High requirements for different attack and defense skills were difficult to understand and he found that playing as a team member was tougher than performing individually in track, his favorite sport. 

“At the beginning, the only reason I joined the Saratoga High soccer team was because I needed to prepare for track and field,” Wilson said. 

He started off as a midfielder for the team, and his prior experience with track and soccer helped him quickly contribute to the team and gain respect from others, assisting one goal in his first match against Homestead in November. Then, in a 5-0 win against MacDonald High School in December, he saved two goals and assisted three. 

Additionally, his teammates’ passion for soccer was contagious — eventually, he grew his own joy of playing every day at practice. He gradually spent more time practicing with teammates and researching soccer skills. 

During the season, Wilson didn’t just improve his skills, but also changed his outlook. What he viewed as lack of stamina at the beginning turned into an enjoyable tiredness for him that reflected his improved conditioning and hard work. 

“Over these few months, I found out that my stamina improved a lot,” Wilson said. “I also now realize the importance of teammates. Teammates back you and you back them.” 

With his newfound fascination for soccer, he has decided to try out for varsity next year and is committed to giving his all to the team during the season. 

“I didn’t realize that I would be so interested in soccer,” he said. “I believe I am ready to move to a higher level of soccer.”