Omar Iakub is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep High School for AZPreps365.com

“Keep our focus and focus on what we can control.” These were the words coach Mike Navarro said to his Notre Dame Prep team after learning the soccer season was back on in January, now a month and a half later and sitting at 8-1, Navarro’s words have guided this Saints team.

What is the key to their success? “A lot of things were up in the air early on, but the times we were able to train and stay together, and having team talks, and just having that chemistry going was one of the biggest things that has helped us improve and stay involved,” Navarro said.

One of the Saints motivators is that at any moment the game could be taken away from them. Navarro and his team have combated this by enjoying the time that the team has together.

“The morale has been awesome, freshman hanging out with the seniors and just having that good comradery, it couldn’t be a better environment for the boys right now,” Navarro said.

Senior leadership is another reason for success of this Saints team.

Liam McSherry has been a four-year varsity player for the Saints and plays for Phoenix Rising. McSherry, who has experienced all the ups and downs in the program is enjoying his best season.

“The team chemistry all-around, that’s really been keeping us [team] together and helping us get those wins and then after a win we really have a great feeling,” McSherry said.

The other senior captain, Brad Semro, shared a key moment in the season he believes has heavily motivated his team. “Since it was so early in the season (talking about loss to Deer Valley) we didn’t have that realization that we have a lot of potential this season. Back then we really didn’t have the motivation that we have now.”

That definitely was the tipping point for the Saints. Since that week, the Saints have beaten their opponents by an average of four or more goals.

“I never have to question their effort, because I know what I am getting out of them every single day, on the field [and] off the field, it's everything you want as a coach. as a captain, as a program, they are great,” said Navarro.

Both coach and players shared the same goal: win the state championship.

The Saints have two games left in the regular season. The Saints play at home on Tuesday against the (1-6) Youngker Roughriders.