For Richmond Senior men’s soccer player Josh Dixon, a love of soccer started at the age of five, and his passion and drive for the game has grown over the past 13 years with each level of the game that he has progressed to.

“I started out playing in recreational leagues until finally making my way up to the junior high team,” Dixon said.

“Over the past couple of years I have progressed my game enough to where I can play on the Richmond High School varsity squad and play with some travel clubs in Pinehurst.”

Many people play sports for different reasons, some see it as a way out of a situation, or a way to make themselves stand out in a crowd.

For Josh Dixon, it’s all about one word.

Fun.

“The reason why I want to play soccer is that it is fun for me,” Dixon said. “The game is exciting, it keeps me in shape, I love to play with my friends, and it teaches you self discipline and control.”

Dixon’s confidence can be seen on the field at every game in his style of play, and the way he challenges the opposition.

“This is a sport that I am very confident about,” Dixon said.

“I am a defender on the team, and to be a defender you have to have confidence in yourself ... To be a defender, you have to be strong, aggressive, have great communication skills, take chances and believe in yourself.”

Josh has high hopes for the team this year, as he wants to see them make a championship run.

He can’t think of a better way to complete the season.

“Winning the conference championship would mean so much to me,” Dixon said. “All the hard practices that we have had will pay off ... Since I am a senior, it would be nice to give Richmond Senior High a soccer conference championship for the 2010 season.”

Dixon, like his teammates, knows in the back of his mind that Pinecrest stands in the Raiders’ path to that goal.

However, Dixon offered a little insight on what he thinks it will take to overcome that obstacle.

“To prepare for Pinecrest we will have to train hard, work together, stay focused, communicate, and keep our heads in the game,” Dixon said.

“The game will be very intense and we are a strong team ... All we have to do is stay focused and play as a team. I feel like we have the skill and the ability to win against Pinecrest this year.”



Contact sports reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111 ext. 44 or via e-mail at tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com.