It all started under the bright stadium lights. Stepping onto the field brings them a sense of familiarity, of peace. Every practice, every game, and every last-second goal is a moment to live for.

#21: Right Back

Marc Sabou felt the slick grass beneath his cleats, the cold wind flowing through the damp air, and the rain pouring down relentlessly. Despite their loss, the College Station tournament still brings a warm smile to his face. 

Sabou has been playing soccer for 12 years, and is now a senior and right back for the men’s varsity soccer team. Throughout the years, his love for soccer slowly diminished, but was brought back to life after his move to the U.S. from Canada. 

“Coming here brought the joy back to soccer for me,” Sabou said.

Sabou says that soccer has shaped his character in a “very positive manner,” and has “made his days feel more full rather than dull.” Not only does he enjoy the sport, but it has also shown him valuable skills he will need in the future.

“Soccer has taught me to be able to communicate as well as support relationships on and off the  field,” Sabou said. “It gives me a more athletic, extroverted approach in my personality that allows me to be able to communicate and think quicker verbally. Soccer has taught me that failure can be a growing curve rather than a loss.” 

To Sabou, soccer is more than just an 80 minute game – it’s a way to connect with others that have the same passion for the sport as he does. Soccer has also helped him form a closer bond to those he loves. 

“Soccer helps me and my dad connect because we both play soccer and we can always go out and  practice together,” Sabou said. “He can always give me pointers or tips on how I’m playing.”

Sabou’s teammates hold him accountable on the field, but one strong source of guidance holds the team together on and off the field.  

“Coach K [Soccer Coach Dallas Killingsworth] shows leadership for sure,” Sabou said. “I think that reflects off of the players. He makes a good impression on what respect should be.”

Sabou says that soccer has allowed him to “grow with confidence.” It has made him a very driven person who focuses on the end goal, no matter where he stands. 

“Regardless if I’m on the bench or if I’m on the field, I still feel part of the team,” Sabou said. “Sometimes it can be annoying to sit on the bench, but I still enjoy playing the sport and actively knowing that I’m there for the team if I’m ever needed for it.”

Although Sabou doesn’t plan on playing soccer collegiately, the game of soccer will always hold a special place in his heart. No matter what happens in the future, Sabou will always remember the fun times he had, including his rainy day game.  

#0: Goalkeeper

It was a game that defined the season. 

After conceding a goal in the first half, Ali Rad’s spirits might have faltered, but in the second half, he transformed disappointment into triumph. In a moment of seconds, he caught a penalty kick and threw it to one of his own teammates, resulting in a game-winning goal and the team’s second rank in the district. 

Rad has been playing soccer for most of his life, and is now a senior and goalkeeper of the men’s varsity soccer team. Helping him connect with his Persian culture, soccer holds a big place in his heart.

“Ever since I can remember, soccer was just the one sport that I’ve always had passion for,” Rad said. “It’s something that connects me to my roots.”

Being a goalkeeper means to show patience throughout the entire game. Goalkeepers also have to withstand pressure, because in the last few seconds, everyone on the team relies on them to do the most important thing: defend the net. 

“You just have to know what your priorities are and you have to stay disciplined,” Rad said. 

Rad has been playing soccer since he was in 4th grade, and throughout all his years, he has had one major takeaway: One that he uses in all aspects of his life, whether it’s for soccer, school, or while playing the piano.

“Discipline is something I will never forget,” Rad said. “I can use that discipline that I’ve worked up to apply to other aspects of my life.” 

Throughout the years, Rad has learned what it means to be a team-player. As long as everyone is communicating well, the sky’s the limit when he’s with his team. 

“Playing soccer has taught me that you can do more as a team and that everyone has to be in harmony with each other,” Rad said. “You’re stronger when you’re with other people rather than when you’re by yourself.” 

Not planning to play soccer collegiately, Rad realizes that this will be his last season playing the sport he’s so passionate about. Though he feels sad, he said he “wouldn’t change a thing.” 

“I feel happy that it’s coming to an end so I can start new things and use that time in other places,” Rad said. “However, I also feel sad because playing soccer is something I just absolutely love.”

#8: Defensive Midfielder

Gabriel Xiong’s tousled black hair is damp with effort, yet he remains focused and well-composed, eyes locked on the ball as if nothing else matters in the world. Beneath the night sky, he moves with a quiet intensity – the kind that exudes confidence with his presence on the field, without saying a word.  

Xiong, now a senior and varsity defensive midfielder for the men’s varsity soccer team, has been playing soccer for most of his life. His journey started because of his dad, but he quickly embraced the sport himself.  

“I started playing soccer recreationally when I was six because my dad wanted me to play a team sport,” Xiong said. “I got into club soccer when I was around eight or nine, and I’ve been playing ever since.”

Throughout his time playing soccer, Xiong has flourished as a person. He said soccer has given him a “stronger voice” and has allowed him to be more confident. Now, Xiong is a captain of the men’s varsity soccer team. 

“I think being captain really pushed me to step out of my comfort zone in terms of how I led,” Xiong said. “I was definitely not the biggest voice or the biggest personality, but I think stepping into that responsibility has pushed me into taking on those leadership qualities.”

Playing soccer for 12 years, Xiong has learned a lot from the sport. Not only is his growth shown through his performance on the field, but from other aspects as well. He has mastered the art of balancing his time, as he is now both a soccer captain and valedictorian. 

“I don’t think you have to put [soccer] at the expense of [academics],” Xiong said. “I don’t think my grades would be better if I wasn’t playing soccer. Being on the field has always been a bit of a stress reliever for me. Academically and soccer-wise, I think your results are directly tied to how much work you want to put into it.” 

Although soccer has taught him to become a better player on the field, it has also taught him the value of things taken for granted: friendships.

“Playing soccer has really taught me the value of recognizing friendships and how important they are, not just for a performance on the field but it emphasized to me how friendships keep you grounded,” Xiong said. “They are crucial for how you want to succeed in the future. These are definitely friendships I’ll look to extend even after I graduate.”

Xiong also recognizes his parents’ support every step of the way. He knows that “there’s always gonna be someone rooting for me in the stands.” Along with his parents, there is another individual Xiong looks up to and respects: Coach Killingsworth.  

“He’s what we call a player’s coach where he’s really willing to engage with us and talk with us and laugh with us,” Xiong said. “He’s definitely been a mentor, but I think he’s also been a friend. It’s always fun joking with him and it’s really nice to be able to have that kind of friendship even with someone who’s not necessarily your same age.”

Over the years, Xiong has made so many memories and formed so many friendships. Because he isn’t planning on playing soccer collegiately, he realizes that his journey is coming to an end. 

“I’m definitely going to feel it when it’s over but right now I’m just trying to enjoy it while it lasts,” Xiong said. “In terms of my future, I guess I’ll probably be letting go and playing club or intramurally. It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling and I know I’ll miss being on the field, but right now, I’m just trying to enjoy my last season.” 

#4: Center Attacking Midfielder

Senior and varsity center attacking midfielder Will Wojciechowski has been playing soccer all his life. After competing in his first game, he continued playing and never looked back. 

“I started playing soccer because my friend first introduced me to it,” Wojciechowski said. “He told me to join his team in kindergarten, and I just fell in love with the game.”

Over the years, Wojciechowski has proven time and time again that he can overcome challenges and improve his athletic and academic performance. He persevered during his injury sophomore year, and never lost his passion for soccer. Through his hard work and grit, he has shown immense dedication to his sport. This year, his fellow teammates elected him a captain of the men’s varsity soccer team. 

“Being a captain definitely helped me come out of my shell and progress my leadership skills more,” Wojciechowski said. “It gave me confidence on and off the field. It’s definitely taught me to communicate better, because you’ve got to organize a team and make sure everyone’s doing the right thing.”

All of the skills that Wojciechowski has learned through his time being a captain has not only improved the team’s overall performance, but has also helped him improve his relationship with his teammates. 

“You’re always with them, so you get to know them really well,” Wojciechowski said. “They’re more than teammates, they’re like your best friends. They’re like brothers to you.”

The captains always look for ways to help the team improve and perform, but one person overall holds the team accountable and makes sure that they are the best they can be.

“Coach K, he’s really motivating,” Wojciechowski said. “He’s a really good coach, and he always pushes me to be my best. Coach K is definitely a mentor, but he’s like a friend too.”

Wojciechowski’s love for his sport is not only shown by his performance on and off the field, but it is also shown through what lessons he has taken away from his experiences. 

“Playing soccer, I learned that anything you can put your mind to, you can really do and achieve it,” Wojciechowski said. “Patience, motivation, determination, and hard work are all skills I wouldn’t have if I never played soccer. Soccer taught me not to take things for granted and really appreciate what you have.” 

Wojciechowski plans to play NCAA soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, but recognizes that this year is his last playing with the group of people he has grown up with. 

“I’m definitely sad that it’s my last year, because it’s been a lot of fun,” Wojciechowski said. “It felt like yesterday that I was a freshman playing, and now I’m about to graduate.” 

Coach

Dallas Killingsworth, known and loved by all as “Coach K”, has been coaching soccer at Clements for 16 years. One of the main reasons Killingsworth became a coach was because of his own experience. His own football coach from when he was in school left an impression on him, which later influenced his decision to become a coach himself. The main thing Killingsworth remembers about Coach Brown is that “he didn’t coach through fear,” and that is something Killingsworth is trying to pass down to his players.

“I think there are a lot of coaches that try to come off with bravado and, you know, I’m strong and I’m tough, and they lead through fear, right?” Killingsworth said. “I don’t think that really establishes good relationships. I remember Coach Brown being positive and encouraging and trying to get the best out of you regardless of what talent you hold.”

Even though a team is generally characterized as successful based on if they win or lose, Killingsworth has a slightly different definition on what success looks like to him. 

“The reality is, in every sport, there’s usually one winner,” Killingsworth said. “But I think it’s about the journey along the way. I want my guys to develop in regards to the sport itself, but I also want them to develop into young men that have good characteristics.”

Teamwork, resiliency, grit, tenacity, cooperation, and fighting through adversity are all skills and values Killingsworth wants his players to take away from their experience playing soccer, no matter how far they take their talent. 

“I do think that our players learn certain traits that they can carry with them through life and in order to be successful in our relationships with our friends, our families, and our loved ones,” Killingsworth said. “If our kids have that goal to go play at the next level, we support that, but we’re going to make sure that they are ready, in case that doesn’t happen, to be successful in the real world, you know, in the workplace and in interactions with the people that they come into contact with in life.”

No matter where the players go after they graduate, Killingsworth wants to leave them with a positive impression of the soccer program. No matter the outcome, Killingsworth wants his kids to be able to look back at their time on the team and say “We gave everything we got”.

“I would like all my players to know that I coached them hard and that I did so with integrity,” Killingsworth said. “I want to have shown them what good sportsmanship is, and showed them what it means to be a hard worker.”

Killingsworth wants his team to feel like a family. He wants the team to establish good and long-lasting bonds that will stay strong throughout their entire life, and he wants to show the players that he is someone that they can look up to. 

“Coaches are supposed to be someone that players can trust, can have positive relationships with, and can come to them when they have issues,” Killingsworth said. “I also think coaches should embody goodness and kindness, and resemble the way that you should treat others.” 

Throughout the years, Killingsworth has created a strong team, but has also shaped his athletes into young men. He has built respect and trust between him and his team; a bond so strong it has lasted even after they graduated high school. As the players have said, Killingsworth isn’t just a coach, he’s a mentor –  he’s a friend and a Coach Brown of his own kind.

It all ends when those bright stadium lights shut off. The game might have ended, but their love for the game remains. Wins and losses fade, but the memories will last forever. Because for these players, soccer isn’t just a game – it’s shaped them into who they are.