SPORTS
DJ’S PLAYLIST
Coach DJ Driscoll prepares girls soccer for intense, memorable season BY ALINA ABIDI AND CHRISTINE LIANG
Colin Ni | El Estoque
A
t the end of one of the last tryout days, son by bringing passion and professional exfouled and rather than yelling across the junior Cindy Hu recounted, girls soccer pertise to an already motivated team. field, Driscoll walked up to her. He explained coach DJ Driscoll Previously, varthat though she made a good decision, she asked his players to sity and JV practices needed to watch her positioning. COACH DRISCOLL line up on the endline. were on different “A lot of players, they do the same thing Playing for 29 years The players groaned fields and at differover and over with the same negative reCoaching for 16 years at the thought of doent times, so the sults,” Driscoll said. By offering specific adBorn in Chicago ing sprints after a tiring two teams rarely invice, he hopes to ensure that players know practice, but Driscoll teracted. This year, what and how to improve. Also coaches girls explained that this all the players pracLast year, the team had 11 seniors, and soccer in Sunnyvale Colin Ni | El Estoque — rather than scrimtice on one field and this year it is down to three. With a younger What he values in a player: commitmages — was where warm up together team that is composed of mostly sophoment, adaptability, communication he was looking for varbefore breaking off mores and juniors, it is important to Driscoll sity players. He was not into their teams. to provide an atmosphere that shows them focused on who could dribble past everyone New JV coach Lewis Saxelby said that he they can play against seniors and older else or even who was necessarily the fastest, and Driscoll work closely to make judgeteams — and win. but on who was willing to push themselves ments and build the “The whole team is more the farthest and make an effort every time. program together. involved and it’s more highThe start of the soccer season welcomes Saxelby met Driscoll level,” sophomore Alissa Patnew players as well as new coaches. In past when the two terson said. “He’s definitely years, girls soccer coaches have been par- coached together in more dedicated than [club ents or teachers. This year, however, profes- Sunnyvale. soccer] coaches have been, sional coaches lead both the varsity and JV “[Driscoll] is so he helps us to also be more team. While Driscoll is new to MVHS, he is fairly serious,” Saxdedicated and play real soccer, not new to coaching. He has coached profes- elby said. “He’s very unlike it has been in the past.” sionally for the past 16 years and currently organized, plans his While Driscoll is dedicated coaches at Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club sessions well, and is a to helping players reach their as well. Driscoll hopes to use his experience good soccer coach.” full potential, he also values to push the team to a new level. Driscoll considers the experiences the team will Driscoll started coaching when he was his coaching style to have together. 20, but he had been interested in soccer be very personalDuring a game, Driscoll from a young age. ized, and believes in sprinted to retrieve a ball, “[Soccer is] a sport that captivates every- getting to know each knocking over a trashcan in Colin Ni | El Estoque one in the world, and it captivated me,” he player individually. the process. said. “I wake up every morning, just wanting In order to provide HALFTIME HUDDLE Driscoll “I’m nimble,” he said with to touch the soccer ball.” one-on-one support, offers the team feedback during a straight face before laughing Returning players said that last season’s Driscoll coaches with along with the players. a home game against Gunn High final score of 6-7-6 motivates them to work close conversation. “I [always] have a smile,” harder this year. Last year, the girls team did For example, during School on Dec 7. Driscoll explained Driscoll said. “How can you not qualify for CCS, but Driscoll believes in a preseason game that in order maintain posession, get upset at kids who want to focusing on the future, not dwelling on the against Gunn High they needed to pass more precisely. play soccer?” past. Driscoll aims to have a successful sea- School, a player was a.abidi@elestoque.org | c.liang@elestoque.org
DECEMBER 18, 2013
33