Soccer is in senior defender Justin Syharath’s blood. He started playing the game at the age of five, mainly because of the influence of his older sister.

“My sister played, so I decided I would give it a try,” Syharath said. “My favorite part about soccer is the fact that it is a very creative game.”

So far, it is working out just fine for him. Syharath is the captain of the boy’s varsity soccer team for the second year in a row.

Junior Mark Mullenex says that Syharaths’s best attributes are his leadership and work ethic.

“He puts in the same work ethic day in and day out, whether it is in a game or just at practice,” Mullenex said. “He really leads by example.”

This is his fourth year on the varsity team, after starting around half of the games as a freshman. Syharath is also part of numerous teams outside of school. He plays with the Roanoke Star club soccer team and the Virginia state team. Syharath estimated that this is his fourth or fifth year with the state team.

“Being on the state team is just an overall great experience,” Syharath said.

Even with his participation on other teams, Syharath’s focus is solely on this year’s varsity team. He has his goals and expectations set very high.

“I want to win the district championship, qualify for regional’s, and ultimately qualify for the state tournament,” Syharath said. “Personally, I want to be the district player of the year,” Syharath said.

Syharath also hopes to extend his glorified soccer career after high school, even though the three teams he currently participates on will no longer be an option after graduation.

“I am really hoping to get offered to walk-on at James Madison University,” Syharath said. “If not to JMU, I just want to keep playing somewhere.”

If what he has done so far is any indication of what is to come, any team would be lucky to have him.