The Bellaire boys’ varsity soccer team concluded its season with a 3-15 record after a penalty shootout win against Wisdom High School at Butler Stadium.

“It was a good way to end off the season,” senior fullback Justin Chin said. “Regardless of our terrible streak, we beat the second-ranked team in the district.”

The team kicked off the season strong with a 2-1 record after a victorious pre-season over Carnegie Vanguard High School and Stratford High School.

However, coming into the Pre-Season UIL tournament, the Cardinals fell short due to injuries and setbacks.

“We had injuries, suspensions, some of our key players weren’t cleared, and I think that we just had a lack of organization due to this,” sophomore fullback Noah Mathiesen said.

The soccer program also had numerous faculty changes last season, which encouraged both coaches and players to practice flexibility.

“This year is more about rebuilding than anything else,” Collins said. “New play, new build, new chemistry–we’ve had to embrace growth and change, but the team has adjusted well to the new dynamics.”

Despite a less-than season as sixth in the district, Bellaire had key moments to celebrate.

“We beat Sam Houston in the first game of the season with Diego Galvez scoring a hat trick,” Mathiesen said. “We also beat Wisdom, who were in first place at the time they played us.

For Collins, the team’s final game against Wisdom High School was likewise memorable.

“Everyone was smiling,” Collins said. “There was kind of a sense of closure for the seniors.”

The season also came with tough losses against top-ranked teams.

“Losing against Lamar was definitely a lowlight of the season,” Chin said. “They were our rivals, and it was not good that we fell short to them.”

For Mathiesen, several players consistently stood out throughout the season.

“I definitely have to give Diego Galvez my respect for this season, he had the most goals/assists per game,” Mathiesen said. “I also think Charlie Davies was extremely important to us, showing up during the games and making big plays in the midfield. Defensively, I think Samuel Hu did a great job by playing the ball well.”

Although the Cardinals’ performance didn’t meet the players’ expectations, the season still held significance, especially for seniors who played their final high school games.

“Definitely not the most picture-perfect senior year,” Chin said. “Since I was a sophomore, I’ve been looking forward to senior year. You have a vision of having a successful final season, and we didn’t do that. It teaches a lesson because it shows me that not everything you think will happen, happens. But I still saw it as a good end to my high school soccer career. ”

Looking towards next season, the Cardinals are identifying areas for improvement.

“Our offense definitely needs to be more efficient,” Chin said. “The defense basically reacts to the offense, and if our forwards score more goals, our defenders will be able to play under less pressure.”

Chin also emphasized the need for stronger team accountability.

“There was a lack of discipline,” Chin said. “And I feel like it all starts with the presence of leadership.”

The Cardinals’ season was “far from perfect,” but it is a lesson to move forward on and off the field.

“Our players are taking away lessons on self-reflection, working as part of a team, accepting responsibility for their actions and holding themselves accountable for being good human beings,” Collins said. “Because that’s part of coaching–we prepare people for life.”

But building character isn’t the only thing Collins has his sights set on.

“I would like to win the state trophy, and that’s what I said three years ago when I interviewed,” Collins said. “I want to take this school to state.”

Mathiesen remains optimistic for next season.

“I think this season was a little chaotic, but next year we will have a more experienced team [and] less changes throughout the program to disrupt our rhythm,” Mathiesen said. “I expect to be able to make up for this season’s mistakes.”