By: Lily Portnoy
All great teams need the right mix of commitment, preparation, leadership, and skill. For Coach Brett Waxer of the Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team, these qualities are essential pieces of a successful, cohesive group. Whether he sees players on the field, in the gym, or in the hallways, his motivational question is always the same. Coach Waxer said, “Check in,” and the team replied, “All in.” Each acknowledgment reinforces the focus and discipline he expects every day. More than anything else, he believes this collective chorus signals “a constant connecting” for every player. It has also powered the team through another impressive run on the field.
The team carried its strong 9-3-2 record into the AAA conference playoffs with confidence and commitment—a commitment to each other, the coaches, the school, and the Syosset community. Although the team ultimately fell short in their match against Herricks in the Nassau County Finals, no one can argue that this group lacked the heart and dedication of champions. As the team battled through every obstacle during a highly competitive season, senior Xavier Pultz described their journey as having “games that sometimes weren’t the cleanest, but Syosset still earned each win the same.”
Throughout the fall season, one consistent thread was the team’s strong leadership. Coach Waxer praised “his amazing senior leaders” and emphasized how crucial leadership is in building a winning culture. He credits them with setting the tone for younger players and fostering “the buy-in that was there from the beginning,” creating an atmosphere where teammates genuinely enjoy being together and strive toward the same goals.
One highlight of the season was Syosset’s fierce late-September match against one of its most formidable opponents, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Jayhawks. Widely considered one of the most competitive games of the year, it resulted in a hard-fought 0-0 tie. More than the score, the game was considered a win for all, as it served as a charity match featuring special jerseys supporting the Ann Asparro Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness for caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. The players took particular pride in supporting a cause built around the simple yet powerful mission: “Bigger than a Game.”
The next time you see Coach Waxer greet a player in the hallway with “Check in,” you’ll understand the depth of commitment behind the question—and why the reply “All in” carries such meaning.
