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10/08/2024 02:44 PMFor Birch Whitbeck, he took a slight detour in his athletic upbringing from the soccer turf. Yet when it all unfolded, he stuck with his first and true love. Now, his passion for the pitch is shining through, as he has helped become a centerpiece of the resurgence of the Valley Regional boys’ soccer team.
The Valley Regional senior grew up playing soccer his entire life, but then he began to venture into playing baseball at the AAU and high school levels. Yet after freshman year, he decided to solely focus on soccer and tried his hand at club teams. After the Warriors endured back-to-back 4-11-1 campaigns in 2022 and 2023, Birch has helped lead a turnaround for Valley, as the squad has posted a 7-3 record with Birch serving as a midfielder and team captain.
“I think with soccer, there is such a bigger team aspect when compared to other sports. If someone makes a mistake, it is not like striking out on your own with baseball. You can easily fix the mistake. With soccer, I also like how you are constantly active and moving,” says Birch. “For me, doing the little things is crucial, like spending maybe an extra 10 minutes with the ball by yourself practicing dribbling or shooting. It can take you a long way because soccer is a game of critique and practice.”
Birch tends to specialize on one side of the ball within his role at midfield. He likes the chance to dictate the pace of play and disrupt the flow of opposing offenses. Despite all the obligations with the position, he takes it all in stride.
“I play more of a defensive role in the midfield, so I like being able to reset the game and slow it down. I can receive the ball and take my time on defense,” Birch says. “It can be challenging because you have to be aware of everything when you are playing in the middle. The running factor is also rough; you have to have good endurance to go from box to box out there. You must also have good communication with the other midfielders.”
Using the contrast from baseball, Birch is able to soothe any mental insecurities that can potentially pop up. Soccer is a sport that in his vantage point opens up limitless possibilities to atone for any misfires.
“When you make a mistake, most players may become upset with themselves. But I realized that with soccer, it is okay to make that mistake,” says Birch. “You are able to have a bad first half and come back in the second half. Knowing that anything can happen and improve at any time I think really helped me as a player mentally.”
Tunnel vision is something that Birch has learned to let go by the wayside in his older and wiser age as a varsity competitor. He is also someone who knows he does not have to be an individual who plays hero ball on a daily basis.
“I have improved myself as a player in terms of being aware. I used to be such a straightforward type of player and just go with the ball and look in front of me,” Birch says. “Now, I have much more knowledge of where myself and the other players should be. I also need to work on not trying to do too much by myself out there. I have to take an extra step forward and also take time to step back on either side of the ball.”
The lofty title of captain of course comes tied in with many unwritten rules and expectations in terms of Birch’s conduct. Still, he loves the idea that he gets to act as a conduit between players and coaches.
“Being captain has been a great experience so far. I enjoy being a player on the team that can guide the others,” says Birch. “You have to utilize your power to help the whole team. It is like being another coach out there. It comes with a lot of challenges and responsibilities, but it is an honor and privilege to have the position and respect of the team.”
As Valley looks to complete a return to the postseason, Birch and his fellow Warriors are taking things one step at a time when it comes to putting themselves into title contention.
“After the last two tough seasons, we have already gotten a ton of wins this year,” Birch says. “Our short term goals are to make the Shoreline and state tournaments, and we believe in each other as teammates that we can do it. From there, then we can see how far we can go.”
Valley boys’ soccer Head Coach Michael Fearon declares that Birch is another courageous Warrior who did not shy from the big-time stage as an underclassman. Additionally, he is tirelessly working to better himself while never discriminating on his source of advice.
“Birch is one of several senior boys that was thrust into being a starter in their sophomore year,” says Fearon. “He has worked extremely hard over the time to improve his game and to listen for ways to get better. As a captain, he is learning to trust not just his upperclassman teammates, but younger players.”
Looking deeper into the source of the Warriors’ reversal of fortunes, Birch details it comes honestly from a culture shift within. The bickering has been put aside, and the boys are focused on having fun while garnering wins in the process.
“I think the last couple of years, there was not a good attitude around the team. Things were tense with arguments,” says Birch. “But now, the guys come to practice each day ready to give their all and are really happy. We have also bonded really well as a team, and I think that social aspect has really helped us perform on the field as a team.”