The Mount’s junior varsity soccer team welcomes back a familiar face this season. The new JV coach, Sebastian Esquivel ’19, an alumnus of the school, is returning to the program after a two-year intermission. His journey from a player to a coach has come full circle, and he is ready to make an impact on the future generation of Mount Michael soccer players.
Reflecting on his time as a student-athlete, Esquivel fondly remembers his experience playing for the Knights. “I enjoyed playing soccer at Mount Michael. Although we never made it to the state tournament, the soccer program here gave me lifelong friendships with people I still play soccer with today.” His personal connection to the soccer program makes his return as a coach even more meaningful.
Esquivel’s coaching journey first began in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic when he took up coaching at local youth soccer clubs. This eventually led to his first stint as the JV coach at Mount Michael. However, Esquivel had to step away after just two years of coaching. Now, after another two years, he is back and ready to help shape the program once again. “I am very grateful to have the opportunity to return and coach here,” Esquivel said.
Coming back as a coach as a former player brings a sense of both pride and responsibility. “It is a great honor to return to the team as a coach after having been a former player at Mount Michael. Coaching allows me to give back to the school and program that shaped my high school experience,” Esquivel shared. His aim is to instill in his players the same sense of camaraderie and commitment that he experienced as an athlete.
However, coaching a JV team comes with its challenges. The largest obstacle, Esquivel admits, is managing the technical ability of players. Luckily, he has Jurgen Beller ’22, another alumnus who similarly returned to lead the JV soccer team, to help overcome this obstacle. “Coach Jurgen and I plan to tackle this challenge by focusing on the fundamentals while progressively preparing the team to be match-ready.” This approach will ensure that all players, regardless of skill level, will develop throughout the season.
His goals for the season emphasize player development and competitiveness. “We want to see players improve throughout the season and be competitive in all our matches. By the end of the season, we hope to see noticeable improvement across the team compared to the first day of tryouts.” For Esquivel, success is not measured in the number of wins, but in the progress and growth of the players.
Drawing from his own soccer career, he offers valuable advice to his players. “The advice I would give to current players is to build trust amongst your teammates. The season is short and can be unforgiving due to the number of games and practices, so you need to lean on each other to achieve success as a team.”
For Esquivel, the most rewarding part of the job is witnessing the impact he has on his players. “The most rewarding part of coaching is seeing the players’ improvement throughout the season and seeing the positive impact I have in their lives. It is an amazing feeling to be greeted by former players after I have finished coaching them.”
With a deep appreciation for the program and a commitment to player development, the new JV coach is set to make an impact on the Mount’s soccer team. His journey from player to coach serves as an inspiration to his players, reminding them that soccer is about more than just the game, it’s about growth, friendships, and the lessons learned along the way.