GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- After last year’s eye-opening campaign in the highly competitive OK White Conference, the Ottawa Hills Bengals boys soccer team is entering the 2025 season with new confidence.
"After last year’s conference realignment, nobody thought we would survive the season," said Head Coach Sergio Sepulveda. "But the guys buckled down and showed everyone that we are here to compete.”
Now, Sepulveda says, the team is even hungrier for success. “They want to win hardware together; they want to be the first Ottawa Hills soccer team to pull it off,” he added. “And thanks to their hard work, it’s no longer a matter of if, but when.”
With confidence and ambition fueling their goals, the Bengals are also leaning into something just as important: chemistry.
A Team That Feels Like Family
“The unique thing about our program is that we draw players from many different schools and cultures,” Sepulveda shared. This diversity has become one of the Bengals’ greatest strengths and a foundation for the team’s strong sense of unity.”
Leading that effort are a couple of key seniors alongside the strong junior core of Levi Kuiper, Elliot Lim, and Ezra Nelson, who are all stepping into key roles this season.
Together, they’ve embraced Sepulveda’s “one team, one fight” mantra — building not just a roster, but a shared identity.
“Our team's chemistry has significantly improved throughout the years that I have played for this team,” said Kuiper. “Doing activities together outside of soccer strengthens our bonds as well as communicates what kind of players we are on the field.”
Lim echoed that sentiment: “I believe our team’s chemistry is much more family-like and inclusive this year. Everyone gets along and enjoys the program while also working hard to improve ourselves as a whole.”
Offseason Focus: Building More Than Fitness
The Bengals know the road ahead won’t be easy, but they feel like their offseason training has prepared them for the regular season.
During the summer, Sepulveda, alongside new JV Coach Nate Willink, executed a preseason training program that focused on four pillars: baseline conditioning, soccer-specific conditioning, soccer acclimation, and team bonding. By focusing on both the physical and mental sides of the game, the coaches are helping players get ready for the tough competition they will encounter in the OK White.
As a player, Lim agreed. “The biggest challenge I’m preparing for this season is facing these difficult teams in our conference,” he said. “We all know it’ll be a big obstacle to overcome, but we also know that we have the ability to win these sorts of games.”
Nelson echoed the importance of being physically and mentally prepared: “The biggest challenge I prepared for in the off-season is my stamina and game IQ, which are both necessities when playing on the field.”
Reflecting on his own growth during his time as a Bengal, Kuiper shared, “The biggest lesson I have learned from last year is to stay calmer under verbal pressure, as I can easily get worked up by what the other team has to say to me.” This year, Kuiper feels more prepared to face the competition with a level head.
A Battle For the Ball
As the team structure starts to take shape, Coach Sepulveda is encouraged by the team’s improvements—especially on the offensive side of the ball.
“Bengal soccer supporters should be prepared to see formations that highlight the depth and experience of our midfield,” he said. “With the influx of talented and hard-working players these past few years, mid-game adjustments will see players taking on more offensive roles as opposed to the usual defensive ‘park the bus’ duties Ottawa has been known for in the past.”
Lim, who plays in the midfield, knows the responsibility he carries in this formation.
“The toughest part of my position is maintaining the tempo and flow of the game,” Lim shared. “If you fail to control the middle of the pitch, you’ll ultimately lose control of the match. I handle it by trying to remain more composed and relaxed on the ball and prioritizing ball retention.”
New Season, New Look
As the Bengals prepare to start competition, the fans can look forward to an enhanced home-field atmosphere this fall.
“The staff and I are most excited for all our home matches this season,” said Sepulveda. There has been much work done in the background by our amazing boosters and admin, and we’re sure the community will be ecstatic to see the improvements to our home field in the next few weeks.”
With a fresh identity, renewed chemistry, and a revitalized home field, the Bengals are ready to make history on the pitch.
