Team Profile: Soccer

National Sports Academy Soccer Team

By Brandon Patraw

LAKE PLACID-Could you imagine sprinting up and down the field for 80 minutes with no substitutes? The mens soccer team at National Sports Academy is playing with only 10 players.  The team’s captain, Felix Lissaker, stated, “In order for the team succeed everyone needs to put in a valid effort due to our low numbers.”

In a typical soccer game, 11 players represent each team on the field at once.  However, with NSA only having 10 players, they will be playing the remainder of the season with a man down. 

The Mountaineers celebrate their first goal of the season.
Photo courtesy of Facebook.

The soccer team has played two matches thus season, both coming down to the final seconds against Minerva-Newcomb.  The team won their first game 3-2 with an incredible come from behind victory.    Nate Trachte had a very strong performance, scoring two goals, including the game winner.  Team captain Lissaker also notched a beautiful shot into the "upper 90" to help lead the team to victory over. 

The team’s most recent game ended in a heart-breaker.  With the scored tied 1-1 at halftime, the team simply ran out of gas in the end. 


“We played hard until the end," Lissaker stated, "but (we) got very tired as time ran out.” 


NSA’s goalie, Milan Bubic, had a stellar performance recording 21 saves.  Nate Trachte added NSA’s lone goal in the 2-1 loss.

The team is made up of freshman through seniors, but due to New York State high school rules, post-graduates are not permitted to play.    

NSA has missed its most recent game on October 6, due to disciplinary issues.  With only two games left the team hopes they can do their very best.  


“I hope our team stays out of trouble for the remainder of the season because we do not have the numbers to be losing players.” Lissaker said, “If we don’t stay out of trouble there’s a chance we may not be able to the rest of our games, I hope we can play”

The mountaineer’s show a fearless style of play.  They will play until the end of every game and never give up.  Playing with only 10 players, everyone needs to be at their peak performance in order for the team to succeed.