Despite the boys soccer season ending without a playoff berth, even with having a group with some promising talent and a good start to the season, one player achieved an extraordinary feat.
For the first time in its history, the Doherty boys soccer program has a Colorado Springs Metro League Player of The Year. Teammate and winner Michael Berry was interviewed about his season and his experience winning such a big award.
Michael moved to Colorado Springs from Dallas, Texas in November 2024 during his junior year, and had been playing soccer since he was 4 years old and chose Doherty as his new school.
The first question given to Michael was about his first impressions of the school, coaches, and soccer program overall when he was first introduced. “I thought the coaches were really good…they looked like they knew what they were doing.” During the interview Michael spoke highly of his coaching staff as a factor that helped to drive him in this award.
His first impressions of the team were straightforward and candid, he highlighted both the highs and lows of the team and season. stating that “The team seemed like it was a work in progress, we didn’t look the greatest, but we didn’t look the worst. Michael was also a Captain this year and besides his on the field heroics, served as a leader in the locker room and communicator on the field, often leading the teams prayers before games as well.
Michael was asked about his goals before the season started and if he thought that winning this award was even a possibility. “Winning player of the year was one of my main goals this season and I achieved it.” Michael started the season with high expectations for himself and got off to a hot start, scoring 4 goals in his first 3 games.
Consistency is always the key to success, and he didn’t slow down after his quick start. The star forward kept scoring in almost every game he played in. Michael finished with an eye popping 18 goals and 5 assists, compiling multiple games with hat tricks and braces. Late in the season Michael was being put in the conversation as a likely candidate for player of the year, his only real threat being Vista Ridge forward Luke Bruno. However with a stellar finish to the season, scoring 4 goals in his last 3 games, he eventually beat out his cross town competition.
One of my questions to Michael was about the people that contributed to his success and award winning season. MIchael spoke highly of his coaching staff and coach Adam Foulk in particular, mentioning him several times throughout the interview as one of his driving factors in winning this award. He also spoke about his mother and what the achievement means to him and his family. “It means a lot, it means I can go somewhere with this sport, and that the sky’s the limit”. The senior mentioned his future plans and how this achievement proves to him and everyone else that he has what it takes to have a future playing soccer after high school.
After such a remarkable and memorable season, the final question given to Michael was what his favorite memories from this season were and what stuck out to him the most. The senior told me that he can recall memories of his coach, Adam Foulk dancing after winning games. He specifically noted a memory from after winning a game against Liberty as being significant. Coach Adam Foulk had not beaten the Lancers for his entire tenure at Doherty, and the school had not won against Liberty in 10 years.
The Spartans won after a late winner in the last 2 minutes of the game. Michael told me the post game locker room celebrations felt extra special after such a monumental win. Michael is an admirable player, and is a fantastic teammate.
