NILES — Brandywine soccer has many goals this season.

Some include winning more games and district championships. Others are the kind they would not receive a trophy for, like becoming a family on and off the field.

After the Bobcats’ 7-1 loss to New Buffalo, the lone two seniors on the team are making it clear that Brandywine soccer, as a family, needs to stay positive through moments of challenge.

“We’ve had some kinks in the beginning,” said senior goalkeeper Nicholas Needham. “The past two games we’ve had a lot of fun, even though we haven’t always won them.”

At Wednesday night’s game, the Bison were first on the board with a goal in the first 40 seconds, but Brandywine junior Bryce Taberski, returned the favor not too long after, tying up the score.

Needham continued to make saves off of breakaways from New Buffalo’s fastest forward, but eventually, he snuck through the Bobcat defense. New Buffalo took over a 2-1 lead with 19 minutes remaining in the half.

Needham could have let a late goal affect the remainder of his half, but instead, he increased communication with his defenders and kept the Bison fighting for every chance at the back of the net. Needham ended the first half with ten saves.

In the past two games, Needham said the team has started to show how they can mix well together. 

From back on his line, Needham tries to keep Brandywine pumped up just by being himself  — both on and off the field, he said. During the halftime huddle, Needham’s voice could be heard echoing on the field.

“I kind of just try to cut jokes and make everybody feel better,” Needham said. “Good morale is a way to get a good game.”

Four minutes into the half, New Buffalo got a goal early and continued to get the ball in the back of the net on three more opportunities. Needham continued to make saves, but the Bobcats’ offense struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Needham, dressed in a protective face mask, took a fire of rebounds after both teams returned to rain-soaked field after a delay of game was called by referees because of distant thunder.

In moments of the game when the ball was free in the box, Needham just reacted.

“After three years, it’s really just a reaction game,” Needham said. “That rapid rebound in the game was pretty crazy.”

The only other senior on the Bobcats, defender Aaron Lauri sees himself with an opportunity to help the underclassmen get used to playing at the varsity level.

“All that matters is that you are making sure that the younger kids are getting their minds right,” Lauri said. “So, they know what to do, like me and Nick.”

Lauri said he thought the defense held up well against the Bison and offense was distributing the ball to each other better than in previous games.

Moving forward, the seniors on Brandywine are going into each game with a positive attitude to show the team that the journey to districts is a long road ahead.

“I’m trying to stay hopeful for the season,” Lauri said. I hope we can get some more wins in before districts come.”