For most, a hobby can quickly turn into a love, passion or an outlet for expression. Freshman varsity soccer player Paxton Ancheta has succeeded in both club and school soccer throughout the year, and his love for the game has kept his endeavors in the sport filled with drive and hunger.

Both club and school soccer present their own set of differentiating factors that make Ancheta love the sport even more.

“My favorite part about school soccer is the culture and the people I get to play with. I get to play with my classmates and see them at school everyday and then get to go on the field and play with them on the same day.” Anceta said. “My favorite part about club soccer is how competitive it is. I like to have that competitive edge when playing the sport.”

When wanting to pursue two different teams, typically the scheduling of practices and games can overlap. Luckily Ancheta hasn’t found it too difficult to juggle both school and club soccer.

“It’s been pretty easy so far [balancing both]. School soccer is during school hours and club soccer is always after school hours. Club and school soccer practices are on the weekdays, but they’re at different times while the [club soccer] games are on the weekends,” Ancheta said.

One of the largest advantages that school soccer gives Anceta is his exposure to older competitors. As a 15-year old freshman this past season, Ancheta played against all grade levels during school soccer season, and has used that to his advantage in club soccer.

“I’m smaller than a lot of the guys, so I’m forced to hustle and be tougher wherever I go [on the field] because my teammates rough me up a lot,” Ancheta said. “I’m used to playing sophomores, juniors and seniors in school soccer, and now when I play other kids my own age [in club soccer] I’m stronger.”

With being a freshman on varsity, naturally, Ancheta has developed relationships with many of the seniors on the soccer team at school.

“Honestly they’re big role models for me,” Ancheta said. “Everyday when I come into soccer I always look forward to being with my friends, and so with them graduating it makes me pretty sad. Hopefully we will carry on their legacy.”

Soccer has taught Ancheta lessons that he can use both on the field and for much longer after his playing days.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned playing soccer has been to stay humble because you never know what can get taken away from you in the game,” Ancheta said. “I’ve learned to work hard and cherish every moment because you really never know what could happen.”

Ancheta looks forward to the upcoming season, and what it has in store.

“[As a team] we want to go to playoffs and be the first place team in the district standings,” Ancheta said. “We want to be the team that everyone [around the district] is afraid of. Personally, I just want to get bigger, faster and stronger.”