As the spring soccer season begins, the White Station High School (WSHS) boys’ soccer team is building chemistry, sharpening skills and preparing to compete. After a hard loss in the 2025 district finals, the team is entering the 2026 season with one clear goal — bringing home a district title.
On February 9th, 2026, the WSHS boys’ soccer team held tryouts for the upcoming season. For some players, it was their first time trying out with the team — a milestone that can be intimidating. However, experienced upperclassmen helped support the new players and set a good example through their work ethic. Preparing for their final season, the seniors also reflected on their first year with the team.
“[Joining a new sport in high school] was kind of hard, and I was kind of shy,” Diassa Musangwa (12) said. “[I overcame it by] just trying to talk to people [and] making friends.”
Like most high school sports, training for soccer during the off-season is expected. Some WSHS soccer players compete with a club team, while others train independently. In either case, they improved their physical strength and technical skills to perform their best during this high school season.
“The boys have a lot of energy and a lot of technical skills,” coach Jonathan Lovin said. “You can tell that they’re working a lot outside of our school team, and in clubs, and working privately. So [now] it’s more of getting the team organized and working fluidly together.”
After a few weeks of practices, the boys’ soccer team is beginning to find their rhythm. During the early practices, they specifically worked on speed and agility.
“Practice is looking good, actually,” Musangwa said. “The team is improving. We’re running a lot. Everything is good.”
Soccer requires a high level of mental strength and discipline, and the WSHS team is focusing on those qualities this season. Players are looking to improve their communication, decision making and game strategies. Since mindset is a major part of every sport, Lovin is trying to ensure that his team has a positive attitude and that they are able to consistently work together.
“I really enjoy [coaching] and [the team] really enjoy[s playing], and as long as we keep that mindset, I think it’ll be a really great season,” Lovin said. “I think if you start worrying about ‘We lost too many games,’ or ‘This guy’s not talking to me in the correct way, I don’t like his attitude,’ then we lose the plot, and we lose the whole season.”
Even though the season is just beginning, the team has already developed a cohesive dynamic, and the players have an open communication style. Despite a roster that speaks a variety of languages, their communication is seamless on the field. This connection has been built through large amounts of time spent together during practices, games and classes.
“We have a good relationship,” Musangwa said. “All the team, we’re friends. [We’ve] been playing [together] for a long time. Now I’m a senior, so it’s easy to make friends and come and chill with them.”
The WSHS boys’ soccer team has been practicing for a few weeks now, and they have found a solid balance of intense work and lighthearted fun. With the need for redemption from last season, the Spartan boys’ soccer team is motivated and ready to play.
“I really love the intensity in the practices,” Mostafa Jafari (12) said. “The guys are really working hard. I feel like we’re going to have a great season.”