Boys soccer advances through postseason, falls in the state final

The boys’ soccer team ended their season Saturday, Feb. 26, losing to Cypress Bay 4-1.  

The team lost in the state final, ending their season with a 22-4-1 record.  

“Going into the second year of states was really exciting mainly because it usually doesn’t happen to teams, and it’s a really enjoyable experience,” junior Adan McGlynn said. “Even though we lost, it was a great feeling to be there again.”   

For the 14 seniors on the team, this season marks the end of their high school soccer careers. Several of them have been on the team for four years, starting as freshmen.   

“Playing on the team has been so much fun over the last four years,” senior Hunter Jones said. “From freshman to senior, Plant soccer has brought me so many memories and good times. We became a family, and I will reminisce on the time I spent with the team on and off the field.”  

The sibling pair, senior Joe Anderson and junior Will Anderson built the team up, working together to help the team reach its full potential.  

“I loved and enjoyed playing with my brother on the team,” Will Anderson said. “He made the experience more fun and definitely more meaningful. One of my favorite memories with him was when I got tackled, and Joe ran over and tackled the kid that did it to me.”  

Senior Otis Wildman said he was fond of the season and the memories he made. Since his freshman year, Wildman has been on the team, making it to the state final in the last 2 years.  

“This season has meant more to me than any other season in my four years at Plant,” Wildman said. “Even though we couldn’t achieve the result we wanted, this season was probably the most fun I’ve had playing soccer in my entire life. The experience of playing with my friends from freshman year and making a run at the state title is something I’ll never forget. The memories I’ve made with this team will stick with me for life. This season has allowed me to create bonds with people that will last a lifetime. The highs and lows we all experienced together made us brothers. In the end, it was the journey that mattered and not the result. I’ll always remember this season as the highlight of my time in high school.”  

The team has made Plant soccer history, making it to the state final two years in a row.   

“The nerves and feelings that I get when playing these games was something that I loved and will miss,” Joe Anderson said. “Plant soccer was special because of the bond we had and our love for each other. We really connected and were like brothers. This team made the journey something to remember, and I am so proud of what we accomplished.”