As the 2014 season draws to a close, the team prepares not only for the playoffs and an opportunity to compete at nationals, but a different season of soccer one that extends beyond the field.

For some players, the end of the season means a well-earned break from the sport and a chance to relax, but for others, it is a chance to coach at local high schools and give back to the community.

Junior and team co-captain is one of seven 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 mens soccer players who will be coaching high school teams during the off-season.

I love teaching these young players technical skills and being involved in their lives at such a young age, said OKeefe. Coaches have invested so much time and effort into my career, starting when I was very young so its imperative that older players pour knowledge and experiences into younger players in order for them to learn and grow.

OKeefe will coach at nearby La Mirada High School (LMHS) with 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 junior Stephen Tanquary, who currently leads the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 team in goals, assists, and total points this season and recently . This is OKeefe and Tanquarys second year coaching at LMHS.

Its been such a blast coaching over at LMHS, said Tanquary. Im still at a young enough age where I can really relate to these kids and meet them where theyre at, while at the same time maintaining a good level of respect. Its cool to form some good relationships with them while being a light for Christ in a public school environment.

La Mirada High Schools soccer head coach Phil Yovino (99), who is a 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 alumnus and also serves as the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 mens soccer assistant coach, offered OKeefe and Tanquary the opportunity to coach locally. He believes their presence on the LMHS field helps encourage and challenge the students.

I think its good for [LMHS players] to see young guys that love soccer, believe in something more than themselves, and push themselves, said Yovino. The high school students respect the amount of work that a lot of those players have put in, because a lot of them want to play beyond high school too.

Team co-captain and senior at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 and junior , who was an All-GSAC athlete last season, are also assisting at LMHS this season.

Theyre all collegiate players, so theyre all making a sacrifice of their time, said Yovino. They believe in soccer enough and they find a certain amount of satisfaction that comes with participating.

The tradition of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 soccer players assisting at LMHS has a long history. More than ten 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 mens soccer graduates have spent time coaching the LMHS Matadors most recently, alumni Marco Ruvalcaba (13) and Tony Montalvo (12).

I tend to bring guys on that I trust and that have a certain amount of responsibility instilled in them, said Yovino. Most of the people I choose to coach know that life extends beyond the game itself, but understand that the game often presents a lot of the similar trials and things that life will throw at you.

Sophomores and will also be coaching after the season ends. They will join senior at Whittier Christian High School. Martinez and Oh have already spent part of the fall season coaching a local club team, together.

Working with David, Ive seen how important it is to help these kids develop their weaknesses [on the field], said Martinez. It is essential to make them better, well-rounded players.

While developing quality soccer players is a primary focus of all the coaches, the relationships they cultivate with high school students is a significant part of their role, too. Many LMHS soccer players support their coaches by attending the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 mens soccer home games.

The clich辿 saying is that if you dont believe in anything then you fall for everything, said Yovino. I think a lot of kids are already kind of falling through life and its important that they understand that the relationships you choose are going to be an important guideline for that.

Mens soccer will begin GSAC Tournament play on Nov. 5, as they travel to Vanguard University in a win-or-go-home match.

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Written by Stephen Day, i晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 Reporter. For more information contact Jenna Bartlo, media relations specialist, at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu, or Neil Morgan, sports information director, at neil.morgan@biola.edu.