occer is a sport known world wide. With many fans following the sport, being a player is almost honorable. Sophomore Gabe Montoya has just finished his first season on Hoover’s varsity soccer team. Although Montoya was new to the team, he says soccer has always been a big part of his life.

“I play soccer because I got into it as a kid, and I’ve loved it ever since.”

He said spending time with the team is what makes him enjoy soccer so much.

“We have a lot of fun out there; it really helps when you’re trying to work together as a whole,” he said.

Junior Brian Foust, one of Montoya’s teammates, said that Montoya  has improved over the course of the season.

“He started out pretty timid, but by the end of the season, he was more outgoing and had improved a lot,” he said.

According to Foust, making the varsity team as a sophomore was quite an accomplishment for Montoya, as most sophomores are on the junior varsity team.

“I think it’s because he’s a hardworker, and he’s willing to give it his all,” Foust said. “He’s got a good personality and keeps the team in a good mood.” 

Montoya said he is most motivated by the support of the fans.

“If it’s a home game, hearing fans cheering helps me to play the best I can,” he said.