by Julia Lobaina and KVAL.com Staff
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EUGENE, Ore. -- The Lane Community College men's soccer team is on a path to an historic season.
From missing playoffs last season to now leading the conference in first place, the LCC men are on a path to making school history.
"After looking back from last season and just falling short of playoffs, I think all of us collectively kind of chose together, especially the returners, to say that we want to do something with this program and make something and coming out in first place and having one of the best starts in program history is the way to do it," says goalie Anthony Armenta.
And it all started with head coach Conner Cappelletti, who took over the program in 2018.
"The fact that we're on top now and you know we're holding that lead and not tied for it, I think that's going to help and it's great to see the team come from fourth to first," Coach Cappelletti says.
Before taking on a coaching role, Cappelletti started out at a junior college which eventually lead to 4 years of the premiere development league.
"I think that's really helped me connect with the players to realize that I've done this before and it's possible," the coach says, "so I think a lot of players come in and think they're going to play 2 years and, you know, maybe they'll get looked at but maybe not, and then they kinda think that's the end of the line, but it's not."
And whether or not his players decide to follow in his footsteps, they can still benefit from his experiences.
"We're coming in at different levels whether we want to transfer or not, we're playing," adds Armenta.
"Having Conner come from the same background really helps us be successful on and off the pitch."
Although this team is made up of players who come from many different backgrounds, they all have one thing in common.
"We love to play this game," says Armenta, "and whether you're coming from all the way across the world from Australia or you're just local in Eugene, everyone is here for the same thing--everyone wants to win."