As he enters his third year as the head coach of the Becker boys soccer team, Nick Crowley is striving for balance for his team.

“I know that we will have to work on our defensive side of the game more,” says Crowley, who will be assisted this year by Damien Klug.  “Our offensive side features a lot of our seniors, so I am not as worried about that . . . the goals will come.”

Crowley is looking for Carson Makarrall and Max Rositas to step up this season and provide the team’s offensive spark, while on the defensive side of the game, he’s looking to Riley Boyer to provide the experience and leadership. 

Crowley’s challenge this year is real, as COVID-19 wiped out his team’s chances for captain’s practices in the summer just as they were trying to replace eight seniors who graduated from a year ago.  The loss of summertime actions, as well as social distancing guidelines for practice this fall, means that practices have taken on a different look.

“We spent a few more practices focused on conditioning and we haven’t practiced as many set pieces - corners, throw-ins, free kicks - because I’ve tried to keep the players spread out,” says Crowley.  “But we’ve done a lot more skills and passing, which is good.”

He adds that the team is relying on all of its seniors for leadership, including its three impressive captains in Makarrall, Ray Lyon and Boyer. With smaller freshmen and junior classes represented on this year’s team, the coach says he is looking for his sophomores to really step up this season and have an impact.

While there continue to be unknown factors to the season, such as not knowing when or if the playoffs will happen, the team has set goals based on taking things one day at a time.

“Improving from last year is at the top of our list,” says Crowley, who says last season the team had hoped to do better than their record indicated.  “Last year, we entered a new conference with much bigger schools, but we also didn’t play our best.  This year I think we have plenty of players with varsity experience.”

When asked to describe his philosophy as coach, Crowley is quick to point out the team’s priorities.

“I know we’ll have fun, we always have fun, so I’m not worried about that,” he says. “I hope they continue to learn the things I stress and learn from the sport as well, including working as a team, communicating, respect, understanding success and failure, how to overcome adversity.”

In terms of what he asks of the players, he wants them to understand their strengths and weaknesses and to be able to sacrifice for the team and teammates.

“I think we have to take the season in stride and be appreciative of the fact we have a season that feels somewhat normal,” adds Crowley. “I am emphasizing heavily that we need to play and practice like it’s the last time we’ll play.  I try to stress that normally, but as unfortunate as it is, covid might help hammer that point home.”