Some people say their teammates are like family, and this is without a doubt true about the Brandeis men’s soccer team. Aiden Guthro ’23—the men’s soccer captain and goalkeeper—spoke with The Brandeis Hoot about the team that doubles as his family.
Guthro referred to his teammates affectionately as his brothers; he wrote saying that every player brings a different component to their team culture. The team was able to build up their culture during their preseason which happened just before the start of the fall semester. The team traveled to Jay Peak in Vermont to train for the upcoming season and get to know one another better. “We worked hard and put together the foundation for a great season together. It was nice to get away as a team and learn about each other without the stress of classes as well,” Guthro explained.
He noted that to be a great player is one thing but to be a great teammate is something entirely different. To be a great soccer player is something anyone can do; according to Guthro, being a good teammate on the other hand is more challenging. The men’s soccer team has no shortage of great teammates, Guthro explained, calling all of his brothers fantastic teammates.
The Brandeis jersey has a great meaning for the team culture. It is not just a garment of clothing to wear on game day, but a reminder that they are contributing toward something bigger than just themselves, Guthro explained to The Hoot. Not only does it serve as a reminder while they are on the field facing a common opponent, but when they are off the field too.
Being captain of the team comes with its fair share of responsibilities, Guthro explained to The Hoot on taking on the position. Despite having taken on more responsibility, the team has made being captain fun for him. His teammates’ personalities are great to be around, Guthro told The Hoot. “I never stop laughing during team meals or when we all get together. It is a great thing to be a part of,” Guthro remarked about his teammates.
On the field, Guthro has high hopes for the team. The team has a lot of talent, according to Guthro, and he believes they would be able to compete with any team in the country. The team’s roster is stacked with talent, Guthro explained, and he believes this talent could amount to getting a bid to the NCAA tournament. To do this, though, Guthro said the team has to take each game as it comes. Rather than thinking of the totality of season wins, the team has to focus and be present in winning each individual game.
Guthro noted that the university’s location and conference gives the team a huge advantage in that they have great competition. The New England area has a powerhouse of college soccer teams, according to Guthro, which ultimately gives the team multiple opportunities to play on a high level. The university’s conference—the University Athletic Association (UAA)—also offers great competition, according to Guthro. The UAA has some of the toughest opponents, Guthro told The Hoot, which gives the team the experience of playing against well-matched teams. Guthro noted that the season ahead has a lot of high-level competition, despite having a tough schedule the team remains excited for what is ahead.
“Challenges bring out the best in us and this season is going to be a challenge—we are ready to embrace that,” said Guthro.
Personally, Guthro has his own goals set for himself for this season. He mentioned coming off of a strong season last year. He wants to progress both individually and as a team. Hopefully, Guthro can make the All-UAA selection and be a contender for some bigger awards. Above all of that though, Guthro hopes for some big team successes.
The team is a unit, Guthro explained, and a pretty good one at that. It is something he wants the Brandeis community to be able to witness, and the team would love to see more community members at their games. Guthro noted that the team does more than just represent the Athletics Department, it also represents the university as a whole. “Everyone who comes [to the games] is a part of the family,” Guthro assured.
