Poly Boys Soccer Triumphs Through Teamwork

It was a cold, rainy night as the Panthers faced the Canoga Park High School Hunters in the 2025 CIF SoCal Division 5 semifinals match. The competition was tight between the two evenly matched teams. With a 1-1 score at the end of the 90 minutes, the game was forced into extra time. All the fans gathered on one side of the field as tensions ran high. The game went into penalty kicks and ended with a score of 4-3 in favor of Poly! Junior goalie Eli A. ’26 kept the Panthers’ CIF tournament dreams alive by stopping Canoga Park’s second attempt. Eli lined up on the goal line, read his opponent perfectly, and dove to his left to stop the ball right in his lap. This ended the game, and gave Poly the victory over the Hunters as the crowd erupted in cheers.

This all-star team concluded the season as CIF Division 7 soccer champions and runners-up in the SoCal Regional Division 5 tournament. With such a decorated season, it may seem as though the Panthers were destined for success, but it really took the team coming together and playing as one to win. PolyNews sat down with the team ahead of their final game, where the team opened up about their season. Momo T. ’27 shared that at the start of the year, the team came in lacking confidence because there were seven senior starters who graduated.

“We came in this year thinking we wouldn’t be as strong, losing seven of our best players. In a way, that actually gave us some confidence, because we knew we had to work extra hard for each other, and it added to our chemistry. I think that’s what took us further than last year.”

For the younger starters, the experience has been invaluable. Many players emphasized how stepping up in such a competitive environment has accelerated their development both as athletes and individuals. “It’s been important to have good seniors to learn from and to be able to go far this year and compete at a high level,” said Hudson P. ’27. This support of younger players dates back to the previous year, when four 9th-grade students had the opportunity to play on the varsity team. 

When asked about the secret to their success, the players pointed to their strong off-field connections. “I have very good relationships with my teammates off the field and that translates onto the pitch,” said Joe B. ’26. When talking with the team, their clear ease with one another and their playful interactions show that a high-pressure season can also be fun and build chemistry.

Senior Noah D. ’25 played club soccer during his high school career, informing his decision to come out and play for Poly after the success of last year’s team. “I wanted to build on that, especially because it’s my last year at Poly, and going into this postseason, I knew it was win or go home. So we have to leave everything we have on the field. Especially because it’s my last year of high school, I knew we had to show our opponents who we are and who I am.”

As the team entered the postseason, the pressure intensified. For some seniors, this season marks the final chapter of their soccer careers, adding an emotional layer to each match. Many of the younger players wanted to make sure this wasn’t the last game for the seniors. The win-or-go-home nature of the playoffs fueled their determination to extend the journey as long as possible.

Beyond the victories, Poly’s boys soccer team has embraced the values of sportsmanship and honor. Nico W. ’27 reflected on a meaningful moment after a post-season CIF game when the opposing team invited the Panther team to pray together. Nico shared, “Even though they lost, they wanted us to join them in prayer,” showing how competition can also foster mutual respect.

The support from the Poly community has been another driving force. From packed stands to social media hype, the encouragement has been energizing. “Poly is such a close-knit school, and it’s amazing to feel that backing. Every day, people congratulate us, repost our highlights, and come out to cheer. It makes a huge difference,” said Noah P. ’26.

As the team closed out the season, they wanted to reflect on the journey. One sentiment echoed by many players was their appreciation for the coaching staff. “None of this would be possible without our coaches,” Momo T. ’27 said. Their leadership and guidance have been instrumental in shaping the team’s success.

This year the team made history as the second Poly soccer team to win a soccer championship; the first was 25 years ago in 2000. The games meant a lot to the Poly community, bringing the school together to make up an electric crowd, and the team’s journey is a testament to the power of teamwork and sportsmanship.