Wilde Lake Boys' Soccer on a Quest for State Championship

How best to describe the Wilde Lake boys' varsity soccer team during its practice on Oct. 11?

Intense. Focused.

There was no joking around among the players. Nor was there any non-soccer banter from the moment they began their warm-up exercises.

The players were constantly active for the nearly two-hour practice, doing several offense-oriented drills and then scrimmaging against each other. The only time they stopped moving as a team was when Coach Matt Pickett called them together to give instructions for the next phase of practice.

"Act like champions," Pickett said during one drill. "Practice like champions. Be champions." 

Indeed, that is exactly what the team has been doing.

The season started on Sept. 7 with a 2-1 win over South River. Then on Sept.11 the team played in the North County Tournament, where they defeated North County 2-1 and tied Arundel 1-1.

The Wildcats opened county play Sept. 15 with a 3-2 win over Marriotts Ridge High School. Victories followed against Howard (2-0), Hammond (2-0), Mount Hebron (1-0), Centennial (2-1 in double overtime) and Glenelg (2-0).  They tied River Hill (0-0) in a game that also went into double overtime.

This is clearly a team that plays well under pressure.

With eight returning starters from a team that went 7-4 in county play last season, they also bring experience to the field. 

What has been the key to the team's success this season?

Several of the players point to team unity as one of its greatest strengths.

"We are close as a team and play well together," said Brooks Leitner, a senior defender and three-year varsity starter. "Our communication [on the field] is good, and we don't get mad or frustrated with one another."

"We are very tight as a team, all love soccer and are out there to support one another on the field," said Alex Driessen, a senior defender and four-year varsity starter. "We are united to reach one goal, and that is to win games. We all know our roles out there."

"The team chemistry is strong, and without that you don't have much of a team at all," added Kendrick Pacchioni, a senior midfielder and three-year varsity starter.

As indicated by the amount of shutouts the team has had, defense is clearly a strong point of the team, as well.

"Daniel Evans has been outstanding [as goalkeeper]," said Pickett. "He has been starting since he was a sophomore and has really progressed the last three years into one of the top, if not the top, keeper in the county. He has made some key saves in big games."

Pickett also cited junior Zach Johnson as a key player this season.

"Zach is an aerial threat for us," said Pickett. "He has scored a lot of goals this season, and he's made some outstanding plays, including a header goal against Hammond and a volley goal against Marriotts Ridge. He is a great athlete."

Pickett started the season with a clear goal: win the state championship.

The last time a Wilde Lake boys' soccer team won the state championship was 1997. Wilde Lake has won seven state boys' soccer championships in its history, according to Pickett. Columbia's first high school, Wilde Lake opened in 1971.

"Winning a state championship is our goal every season," said Pickett. "I always aim high."

Pickett, who played soccer himself at Wilde Lake from the 1993 through 1996 seasons, has been coaching the varsity team for five years. He also teaches art and photography at the school. When he was a player, Wilde Lake competed in the state championship game three times, but the title eluded them.

"Reach out and grab what is rightfully yours," Pickett said to his team at the conclusion of practice on Oct. 11, referring to the county title and state championship.

"We have four games left. Knock them down one by one. The season starts now."

The following day, Wilde Lake defeated Reservoir 2-1, taking one more step towards its state championship goal. The team's record is now 7-0-1 in county play (9-0-2 overall). The team's final three county opponents are Atholton, Oakland Mills, and Long Reach, with the regular season concluding on Oct. 22.