By: Carter Gribble
The O'Dea Fighting Irish soccer team is looking to bounce back after a lackluster playoff performance last year. In the '23 season, the Fighting Irish had a very promising roster and were looking to make a deep state run. But due to some major injuries, the Irish made a disappointing first-round exit to the Roosevelt Rough Riders.
This season, the Irish are looking very promising going into playoffs with minimal injuries compared to last year. Sophomore Lucas Tamalunas is out with a fractured hip, but besides that, it's just minor tweaks for the Irish roster.
As of now, they sit 3rd in metro standings and have guaranteed themselves a first-round bye in the playoffs, sending them into the quarterfinals where they will most likely play Ballard.
The Irish have fallen short against the Ballard Beavers twice this season, very early on. Captain Jack Huson isn't concerned, stating, "Those two losses were very early on in the season before we really got the hang of our playstyle. It will be a physical game, but we are prepared to earn our spot in the semis this upcoming Monday."
The Irish are extremely fired up for the metro tournament but are also setting their sights on the horizons beyond. They are structuring minutes and substitutions for the long run in the state, making metros not the end-all-be-all for the Irish.
The seniors leading this team are well-equipped and experienced for the state tournament to come. This is because in their sophomore year in the '22 season, they made a deep run in the state playoffs, making it to the semifinals in double OT against the Lakeside Lions.
While at the time the loss was devastating and sent the seniors home on a very low note, this experience now for those then-sophomores could be the difference-maker in making a state-run.
Julius Suber (Senior) sure thinks so, "As a senior having gone through a state-run and making it to the semifinals, I think myself, along with a couple of our other seniors and even juniors that were a part of the team, have a good understanding of how to handle the mental, emotional, and physical pressure that comes along with making a state-run. I think we'll all be able to help the underclassmen in teaching them how to handle the pressure and mental side of the game which will support them down the line for the physical trials of each game."
Suber is right, while the seniors can help lead the way, it's going to take a major physical, emotional, and mental toll on everybody involved.
But the Irish are ready for anything. Starting on Friday, May 3rd, against Ballard will be where the playoff journey kicks off.
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