NEW YEAR, SAME KEVIN LEONHARD By: Luke Hughen

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Photo from NJ.com 

  Kevin Leonhard is starting at center mid this season for the Jefferson Township Falcons. Leonhard was a major part in the success of the season last year ending with nine goals and nine assists along with a State Championship, the first in school history. Leonhard was a key piece that played into the success of the team. Most importantly though is the leadership Leonhard possesses. 

With the loss of important Seniors last year, “chemistry was affected” Leonhard claims, but the returning players help overcome this. Leonhard is the staple in the middle of the field giving 100% to every play and expects his teammates to do the same. He was announced Captain of the team due to his knowledge and leadership. 

Last year was Jefferson Soccer’s most successful season in history. The team finished with only 2 losses and 20 wins. The team at the end of the season was ranked 34 in all of New Jersey. Along with that motivation the team played with great chemistry. Leonhard states, “We were playing with each other before high school” and that each year “the team is becoming closer.” That has helped the team overcome those Senior losses from last season. 

With the loss of those Seniors, comes new players that have to step up. “Younger players are fighting for that spot,while returning players are improving from last year to fill in,” Leonhard states after being asked how to overcome this situation. Leonhard thinks that the team will be just fine because although they lost players, they are returning seven starters. 

Within the last few years of success, the aspirations and how the team plays have not changed. Although the Falcons lost key players, the team's swagger and heart is still present “and even more so as we know what we can accomplish,” Leonhard continues. With players such as Cole Fitzgerald , Bryan Gaviria, and John Becker on the offensive, the Falcons possess a high powered offensive so it is no surprise that the swagger and intensity of the team is the leading force behind the success. 

With this swagger comes goals the team hopes to achieve. Leonhard has been a part of three conference championships alongside a state championship and so has most of the starting XI this year for the Falcons. With this in mind, it is no surprise that the goals are simply “to do what we have always done” Leonhard states, “and win a fourth conference title in a row as well as back to back state championships” he continued. The bar is set high - but it’s nothing Leonhard believes he and his team can not accomplish.


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