Tuesday, March 19, 2024

To protect and serve

While great defenders don’t always get the most press, it is defense that wins championships in practically every sport, and soccer is no exception to that rule.

The Marcus boys soccer team surrendered just four goals in district this season, and a big part of the reason why was the play of captain Bryan Brody.

The Marcus senior defender recently committed to Houston Baptist University, and coach John Gall said that Brody brings a lot to the table.

“He is a commanding presence,” Gall said. “He is a kid that has certainly taken on a lot of the advice that I have given him over the last two to three years of being a vocal leader in the back. I’ve been harping on him a long time, because I just knew he would be that type of kid.

“He demands the best of his teammates and he is very competitive. He is very strong, works hard in the weight room, and is just an all round great kid that you know you are going to put onto the field, and he is going to give 100 percent for you.”

The Marcus center back said that he tries to contribute a lot of things to his team, but said the most important thing he believes he can do is be the type of player he believes gives his team the best chance at success.

“I try to bring a sense of leadership, and be the example for all the younger guys,” Brody said. “I really just want to kind of instill a mindset of hard work and focus. Always giving your all and focusing on getting better all the time.”

Brody said he had some objectives heading into the season, which he believes he and the Marcus soccer club have done well with to this point.

“As an individual, the goal is to have as few goals scored on us as possible,” Brody said. “As the senior center back and captain, that’s my back line. As a team, we want to win a state championship.”

To have a long run in the postseason this year and have a shot at getting to the state tournament, Brody said he believes it will take a couple of things.

“It’s going to take more than just the 11 guys on the field,” Brody said. “It’s going to take the entire roster being in it 100 percent. We should be eating, sleeping and breathing Marcus soccer for the next four weeks. The moment will happen whether we’re there or not, and we want to be there.”

Brody said that being a part of the Marcus soccer program has been very important to him in both his development as a player and as a person.

“It’s changed me,” Brody said. “It’s changed me as a person and a player for the better. It’s given me a mindset that failure isn’t an option. It’s not what we want, and it’s want I want. It’s not like winning is everything, but we’re there to work and we’re there for a reason.”

On a personal note, Brody said his favorite athlete is Steven Gerrard, who plays for and captains both Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team.

Gall said that Brody is an excellent fit for Houston Baptist and the senior defender has been a big part of the success the Marcus program has enjoyed over the last four years.

“We gave up only four goals this year in district in what I feel is one of the toughest soccer districts around,” Gall said. “We stuttered a little bit offensively near the end of district in terms of putting the ball in the back of the net, but defensively, Bryan has been an absolute rock.

“You can count on him, you and trust him, and you know what you are going to get with him. He is a spearhead of what we are doing.”

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