You’ve hung together, a few guys have graduated, and the COVID restrictions are lessened. And finally, all the waiting and the hard work begin to pay off.
That’s where the Country Day boys soccer team finds itself. As the second half kicked off at home in their opening league match against Classical Academy on Jan. 11, a rapid-attack approach designed by coach Corbin Prychun quickly transformed a 2-1 halftime into a 5-1 runaway with only 10 minutes transpired on the clock.
The Torreys employ a “structured-but-creative” offense that has the wingers playing high, the striker feeding the ball to multiple threats as players converge on the opponents’ goal. It can happen quickly, and the results can bring satisfaction and subs who get to take part in the feasting to relieve the starters.
Says senior wing/captain Mark Holland: “Coach (Prychun) likes us to play (in a way) that gives us a lot of structure yet we have the freedom to be innovative and play in a creative way.”
Holland, whose coach describes him as “He’s physical, he’s fast, he dribbles hard,” said a key element has been Patrick Jette taking over goal duties after senior Alex Glynn graduated. “Patrick is playing absolutely amazing, and is easily one of the best, if not the best, keepers in the Coastal Conference this year.”
A breakout player, by Prychun’s own assessment, is the opposite winger, Axel Nyman, another senior captain. “Axel is having a super year,” says Corbin, who teaches AP European history and AP psychology on campus and who keeps an open door for team members. “He is playing every minute. He is scoring. He is doing great.”
“I have really grown as a player in my confidence,” says Axel, with the appropriate name for a wheel who keeps the engine propelling at high speed. “I’ve also been working on my passing and finishing to help my team in the final third.”
During the school day at La Jolla Country Day, the teacher/coach tries to provide a solid atmosphere for his players. Prychun gave up his position coaching the Torrey girls, with whom he won two league titles, to take over the boys’ program after “coaching legend” Jerry Fleischhacker retired. “I’m really happy that we’ve only had women coaching the women players since I switched.”
On the male front, he says, “It’s a tough thing to be a guy these days. There are some issues they have to deal with.” With that environment, Prychun said, “I have an open classroom. The players come by. There is a great vibe.”
Timi Corcoran, says captain Holland, was recently moved as a center back. Benji Hua filled in for a teammate in the Classical Academy win. Both have been playing great, said Mark.
The trophy the Torreys won for winning the Parker Cup tournament on Dec. 8 sits in Prychun’s classroom, Room 213. “We played Preuss in the final,” the coach said. “The trophy sits in my classroom. It shows the boys what they can achieve together.”
