28 SportsUnion | AUGUST 2017
28 SportsUnion | AUGUST 2017
FRONTIER FC high school
Soccer
You never know what to expect the first time you get the call . You have been waiting for this moment for a long time . When it finally comes it ’ s nerve racking . It ’ s the moment you have been waiting for .
By Matt Ondesko Managing Editor
But , when the moment comes , you just can ’ t get a feel for the game . Your game is off . Something isn ’ t right . The success you can ’ t find the same success you had at the lower level . Getting called up is a big deal . You now are playing against kids that are bigger and stronger than you .
This isn ’ t the junior varsity anymore . This is varsity . The games mean a little more . Every game is being played like a playoff game . There is a different mentality to the
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game as well . Varsity players seem to be farther ahead both mentality and physically .
The game is a lot faster as well . Things move at the speed of light and your decision making needs to be two steps ahead instead of two steps behind .
Frontier High School ’ s Jonathan Czajka went through his growing pains last year . After being called up to the varsity , Czajka never felt like he could get his feet firmly on the ground . Instead of thinking what to do
Learning curve with the ball when he got it at his feet , Czajka was more worried about not messing up .
“ Being called up really opened my eyes to how fast and strong you have to be to play at the higher level . I realized I had to improve more physically . It drove me to get faster and stronger ,” stated Czajka . “ It was also a lot mentally . I was never comfortable playing . Every time I got the ball my first thought was “ don ’ t loose the ball ” instead of , how can I create something off this . I learned a lot of soccer is mental and you just have to work hard to break those mental blocks you may have .”
It ’ s not like Czajka doesn ’ t have any talent . He plays his club soccer for Global Premier Soccer , one of the best soccer organizations in Western New York . He plays a European style with GPS , which come sin handy considering that Frontier coach Rich Kozak uses that kind of style for his team .
This type of style makes you think and move the ball quicker , where the American style of soccer is based more on how fast and physical you can be .
“ I play for GPS and all of the coaches their are from Europe . They bring a lot of tactics to us that we wouldn ’ t usually get from an American coach . It really helps with understanding the game and how to play quickly ,” explained Czajka . “ Coach Kozak takes his style of play from his managerial idol Pep Guardiola . He brings in the same tactics used in one the toughest fastest leagues in the world , the premier league . It will help give us an edge over other teams .”
Being a young player on varsity is already hard Being a young striker on varsity is even harder . A lot is expected of you . You are expected to score goals and help your team win . While Czajka is a striker he still likes to play behind the other striker in the system .
This allows him to sit back and have options with the ball .
“ I am usually up top at striker but I like to sit back just behind the other striker so I can pick up the ball with a bit of time and space ,” stated Czajka . “ I create so with that space I can run at a defender , pick a pass or shoot my self . I look to in some way affect the number on the score sheet .”
Affecting the score sheet will be important oh Sept . 16 when Frontier host rival Hamburg in the Southtowns Derby . The Falcons took the Bulldogs to double overtime last year before falling 3-2 .
With rivalry games it ’ s not about the records . It ’ s about who brings the passion for the full contest .
“ The atmosphere against Hamburg was amazing . The weather was beautiful and the screaming Hamburg fans seated the entire side of bleachers . The game it ’ s self was intense , a lot of trash talk , dirty challenges and angry Hamburg fans . We ended up losing to a last minute header but I played well with an assist to my name ,” stated Czajka . “ I have many friends from Hamburg but on the field we are rivals . We gave everything we had in that game . Everyone was so disappointed with the slim loss . Hopefully this season we get revenge .”