Photo by Ryan Kim/The Choate News
Brendan Kish ’19 is a varsity tennis player, math tutor, and Boys’ Varsity Soccer captain. Despite being a four-year senior, Kish is in just his second year of playing soccer at Choate. Taking the league by storm last year, he was a big factor in Choate’s run to the playoffs. Recently, Kish took some time to sit down with reporter Greer Goergen ’21 and discuss how he got started in soccer, what he hopes to accomplish this season, and what his future may be with the sport.
Greer Goergen: How long have you been playing soccer?
Brendan Kish: I’ve been playing soccer pretty much my entire life. I’d say I started when I was four, and then I played every single year, all year round.
GG: How did you start to get involved in soccer?
BK: I think the first time I played, I was probably in a little town recreational soccer league. I lived in San Diego at the time, and it wasn’t very high quality soccer, but I was just getting started.
GG: What are your goals for the team this season?
BK: This season, like last year, we would like to make the playoffs. One important difference is that we will beat Deerfield on Deerfield Day this year on our home turf.
GG: What is your favorite thing about soccer?
BK: Soccer is just as much of a mental game as it is a physical one. I think that is often forgotten. It is so important because when you’re in the 90th minute, you still need to have the composure to stay sharp, shoot, and pass, because the game could be on the line.
GG: What is your favorite thing about playing on the Choate team?
BK: On the Choate team, at least this year, everyone is playing their role, even if it’s not the role they are used to. One example is that Will Eichhorn ’19 is playing center back, and he’s never played there before.
GG: Have you learned any lessons from soccer or sports in general?
BK: I think one of the most important things I have learned is accountability. You have to play your role, and even one mistake, which we learned in our first game, can cost you the game. We didn’t lose the game, but still we should have won it. You just need to be responsible for yourself and being able to trust others with their own responsibilities.
GG: Do you have any future goals with regards to soccer?
BK: I’ve been debating whether I’ll be playing in college or not. I’m really not sure yet. Some colleges have expressed interest, but I haven’t made any decisions.
GG: What is the most difficult thing about soccer?
BK: I think transition play. Our defense kind of separates from our attack, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do, keep the ball moving from the defense up the field. If we spread the field and keep the ball moving, we can control the game.
GG: Is this year different from other years?
BK: As a captain, I guess this year is a little bit different from last year. I’m not a huge talker on the field. I just keep my head down and do my work, but this year as a captain I need to be more vocal and guide the younger guys. We lost a lot of seniors, so a lot of people are going to have to step up this year.
