King’s Soccer Gets a New Life: A Look at Soccer Programs Over the Years

Senior athlete Edvin Loefgren during a soccer game | Photo courtesy of TKC Athletics

NEW YORK — It has been over 18 months since the last King’s soccer match was played. Once COVID-19 forced New York to shut down, organized sports were out of the picture and the least of the city’s concerns. 

With no fields to use and no gyms to work out at, there was no place for TKC players to go. Unfortunately, there was no way of knowing when King’s athletes would be able to play again, until now.

Coach Bracey Fuenzalida signed a few players before COVID-19 in an effort to make an impact in the coming seasons, one of them being sophomore Ana Doval.

“My King’s soccer experience has been nothing short of amazing. My coach is one of the most life-giving people I know, and never fails to bring a smile to my face. All of the girls on the team are so encouraging and some of my favorite people to spend time with,” said Doval.

The sophomore midfielder is excited for sports to start back at King’s. 

“I am most looking forward to returning to the competitiveness of soccer. I have missed being on the field with a team working towards a common goal,” said Doval.  

After speaking with men’s soccer coach Carlos Figueroa, King’s announced their commitment to continuing the elite program in the fall. After a few winning seasons and a trip to nationals, Coach Figueroa has nothing but high hopes and plans for the fall. 

“We already have 14 games scheduled and a set date for preseason, so it’s really happening,” said Figueroa. The athletic program will resume Aug. 23, with its first preseason practice since the COVID-19 hiatus. The first game will officially be held on Sept. 4 against the College of St. Elizabeth.

This will mark the first men’s game in nearly two years for King’s; major news for the athletic department. 

The women's team is also making preparations for the fall as they aim towards competing as well.

“My expectations are fielding a team to compete and play hard. One that seeks to serve one another all the while pursuing the team goal to win games,” said Coach Fuenzalida, the women’s soccer coach. The women’s team has built a solid community of players and plans to continue pushing forward. 

For Coach Figueroa, it is all forward-thinking for the men’s team. 

“I want to win throughout our division and go back to nationals and compete with the schools there,” said Coach Figueroa. 

Figueroa has already signed several recruits since the start of COVID-19, including devoted and skilled players. Sophomore Edwin Perez stayed back this year to live with his family, playing for a semi-pro team: Houston United. 

Perez is a prime example of driven players that come to King’s with one goal in mind: winning. Men’s soccer has had consistent years of winning seasons and a trip to nationals. Still, every player wants to achieve more. 

“I want to make a run for nationals for the team. I want to show everyone that we will accomplish great things, as we are not just an academically strong school, but one with an athletic presence as well,” said Perez. “I just want to help the team achieve as much as it can. It's a team sport and that’s what it’s all about. What matters most is our team name and how we represent it, not our individual names.” 

Looking back at the soccer program there’s a wide variety of players who helped build King’s soccer. One of many notable names would be top scorer and senior, Edvin Loefgren. Born and raised in Sweden, Loefgren came to the States hoping to play soccer in college. After playing a season at Dubuque University, he wanted to pursue an academic and athletic career at a school in the city. Since his transfer, he has made a name for himself on the men’s team by scoring 24 goals and assisting nine in just two seasons. 

Recent graduates, Corrine Boonstra and Bailey Kaufman, have also set the standards for solid careers at King’s by making a couple of trips to the HVIAC playoffs. 

“My favorite memories were during preseason where we did most of our team bonding and taking lots of ice baths to recover from the hard practices,” says Kaufman.

Boonstra, who has played soccer her whole life, came to Kings and left a memorable impression with a strong comeback. Before her second season, she suffered two tears in her ankle forcing her to have surgery the summer before. She was unsure she could be back in time for the season. Boonstra worked hard and recovered, stamping a two goal brace in her first game back from injury. 

It is players like Loefgren, Kaufman, and Boonstra that leave a lasting impact on the programs and open up new possibilities for young players. 

This summer, both teams will be training and mentally preparing for a landmark first season since COVID-19. 

Senior captain, Ben Oldham, has nothing but motivation and determination for making his last season one to remember. “Going to nationals freshman year was an incredible experience. Competing at that high of a level and being able to go on that trip with guys I love being around was fantastic. Staying at a hotel, having fun, and living life together while trying to achieve something we haven’t done before like at nationals, is something I want to repeat again this fall,” said Oldham.

For new students coming to King’s for athletics, the veteran players have a few pieces of advice.

“Travel games can be exhausting but so much fun because you get to hang out with everyone on the team and see the state of New York and not just the city. Have fun and enjoy your time playing sports while you can,” said Kaufman. 

Loefgren believes that sports are just as much about the mental as they are the physical preparation.

“Always stay mentally prepared. The early morning practices, the traveling, the games at late nights. It can be hard to handle both school and soccer, so make sure to manage your time well. Take advantage of using your resources, especially your professors because they will be understanding of the hectic soccer schedule,” said Loefgren.

Fall is just around the corner for men and women’s soccer. Both are eager, with the men preparing for a return to nationals. Figueroa is confident in players He wants to take this year and use it as a template for seasons to come and aims at having a national-winning program in several years.