The Altamont varsity boys soccer team recently kicked off their season with a lopsided 10-0 win over Cornerstone High School. The Knights came out with eight different scorers, including Liam Crenshaw, Lukas Schedler, Hector Blanco, Michael Schmalz, Raju Sudarshan, and Walker Wilson with one goal each. Finn Pak and George Benson scored two goals each. The game had great turnout with lots of student support from the sidelines. Looking ahead, the boys are expecting a long run at the state title. Players and fans have high hopes for the boys to bring home the first blue trophy in years. 

The Acta Diurna interviewed sophomore left wing George Benson about the expectations for the soccer team this season and more.

Y’all beat Cornerstone 10-0. What was the game plan heading into the season opener?

"We wanted to get it over with. We knew we were going to beat them from the start. It’s a new team for them."

Did y’all execute the game plan fully? 

"The scoreline was there, but for the first game, we did not really play that well. I think that if we want to beat better teams, we need to figure out how to play better as a team. Our passing was not great. We did not move the ball very well. It was enough to beat that team, but we need to get better if we want to beat better teams."

What type of mindset do you have in a season opener? Do you have butterflies, excitement, calmness? 

"Personally, I was excited. I was ready. I have been waiting to get on the field for a while now since practices have started. I mean, in previous seasons, I used to have butterflies. Now, I am just used to it."

What is the expectation heading into this season? 

"All of us are setting our hopes high. We’re hoping to get a state title."

Altamont plays the Fultondale Wildcats at Lily field at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23.

 For all Altamont sports team schedules, click here.