“Family on three, one, two, three, FAMILY!” On almost every piece of Green Hope soccer merchandise and in every huddle, the word “family” is easy to find. The Green Hope men’s varsity soccer team is off to a 5-4-1 start this season, coming off a deep playoff run last season.
As any athlete knows, team dynamics is one of the most important factors in athletics, and collaboration can make or break a season. The Falcon soccer players know very well the value of team chemistry, whether on the field playing, in the gym for a lift or seated studying film.
Rowan Granko (‘26) and Barron Bame (‘27) sat down with the GH Falcon to discuss the importance of seeing the team as a family and its impact on the Green Hope men’s soccer program. Granko’s senior season was recently cut unfortunately short due to a broken leg, but he emphasized the importance of support and showing up for the team even in times of injury or rough patches. “We always keep our support, and we’re always happy when you show up…if you are injured, it’s important to show up and make sure you’re still doing your part.” At any Falcons soccer match, the bench is accented with injured players coming out to encourage their teammates. Bame described the team culture as being extremely connected and supportive, mentioning every team member’s love for the game and how it shows up every practice and game. “We’re all together. It’s so much fun. Every single person loves to be there, and I can feel like I’m myself there.”
Any good team is built primarily on the relationships between players. A sport like soccer can’t just be played at a high level with good footwork and speed. It requires constant communication and awareness between teammates, things that can only come from trust and time spent together working on the game. Granko, in his third year on varsity, elab
orated on the importance of connection, saying, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link. If all of us aren’t connected and ready to go, then none of us are.”
Green Hope men’s soccer’s “family” value has served them well as they have not had a losing season in six years. In his fourth year as head coach for the Falcons, Matt Ostrander is a crucial part of the success on the field. Bame describes him as the “glue” of the team, and suggested that Coach Ostrander exemplifies the “family” mindset and keeps the team connected and united even when they hit a rough patch in the season.
The Falcon soccer family hopes to continue their streak of winning seasons and go far in state playoffs this year as they get into the swing of conference play. Connection, trust and support are elements of any high-level team and GH men’s soccer is built on these values. Their goal will be to continue to exhibit the traits of great teammates who know that the people on the field with them are like brothers, and can be trusted with a game, win or lose.
