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10/25/2018 12:00 AMThe Westbrook boys’ soccer team has been building toward the future with a talented roster this fall. One of the key components of the Knights’ progression on the pitch is the play and leadership of Sam Beebe.
Sam is a senior co-captain who plays center back on defense for Westbrook. Sam has scored three goals for the Knights this season, but more importantly, he’s been a solid leader who’s making sure that everyone on the squad is on the same page.
“My job as a captain is to help lead the team, and our team this year has a lot of individual talent,” Sam says. “I just let the other people on the team do their thing and try to guide them when they need help.”
As a center back, Sam plays a position that’s akin to being the quarterback of the Westbrook defense. When it comes to the tenacious nature of the role, Sam is always ready to give 100 percent on every ball that’s sent in his direction.
“You are telling the other guys on the field what position they are playing and who they are on,” says Sam on playing center back. “You have to be physical in the air and on the ground. You also have to be distributing the ball to the wings and up front.”
Throughout the latter half of his high-school career, Sam believes that he’s made big improvements when he has the ball at his foot. He’s also learned how to handle any adversity that comes his way while defending the Knights’ box.
“I’ve become more confident in my skills and what I can do with the ball. I wasn’t confident as a freshman coming off the bench,” says Sam. “The last two years as a junior and senior, I feel more confident with the ball. I’ve gotten better with my ball possession.”
It was an honor for Sam to earn his spot at the captain’s helm this year. Sam says that the teammates around him have helped make this his favorite season as a member of the Knights.
“I knew going into this year that I’d be one of our key players, but being captain has been great,” Sam says. “Being with this team has been real fun this year, and it’s the most enjoyable season I’ve had here at Westbrook.”
Westbrook Head Coach Gerald Carlone praises Sam for his commitment to the program, along with the example that the senior captain sets as both a student-athlete and team leader.
“Sam is a lead-by-example kind of player,” says Carlone. “He is tough and a hard worker. He is a very reliable player and captain for us.”
Westbrook may be going through a youth movement, but Sam doesn’t view that as a crutch for his club. Sam has been pleased to see the Knights leave it all out on the field for 80 minutes every game this season.
“We have a lot of solo talent on this year’s team. We are a younger team versus some of the other Shoreline teams. We have a majority of sophomores,” says Sam. “It’s certainly not an excuse for us, and our effort is one thing we are strong at. When it comes to effort, we do well working as 11 men on the field.”