In the early years of soccer, it’s usually kicking and chancing the ball, but for Boris Beta it was a little more.
Since the age of five, Boris Beta has been playing soccer….and winning.
Born and raised in Fresno, former Clovis West star Beta has been “making his mark” playing for the Fresno City College men’s soccer team.
In 2005, Beta attended FCC hoping to have a successful college career, and his chances would come up short.
While recovering from an injury, Beta would have a different look on life, “When I was 15 I tore my ACL. During that time it made me really ponder life and realize what life truly has to offer.”
As a missionary for The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Beta would put school and soccer to the side just after his first year at city for a two year mission.
“It was a really hard decision to go on my mission because I had a lot of good things going on at the time and good potential to get into some good schools. At the same time, I knew going on my mission would be a great opportunity for me. Soccer would always be around and school would always be around,” said Beta.
Since spring 2008 Beta has been on a second mission, this time his mission was to earn a starting spot back on the team. Rightfully so, Beta earned that spot and has enjoyed playing for Fresno City ever since.
“It’s been fun; I have the opportunity to play as my own type of player, but at the same time learning how to play within a certain system,” he said.
Head coach Eric Solberg, identified Beta as a, “Quiet leader.”
Beta said, “I’m not one to think that you have to be speaking up or yelling to get someone to act towards the cause. A lot of what I know comes from playing at Clovis West; there were a lot of great coaches who pushed me to become the player I am today.”
When asked about the type of player he is Beta said, ” I’m one who is willing to work hard and do what it takes to accomplish the goal, not just for the team….but for myself as well.”
Come game time, Beta says he usually listens to music and thinks about all of his responsibilities,”I’m doing the things I need to be doing to get myself ready for the game.”
Along with game time, Beta talked about a few teammates like Trae Garton, Rory Agu, and Fabian Rangel, “Playing with Trae is fun; we’ve played a lot together. We’ve played as kids and in high school. Playing together again is fun too, when we’re on the field we understand each other and know each other’s tendencies.”
“Rory is a different kind of player, one who will push you to be better and because he pushed me I was able to gain the skills I was missing.”
Beta talked about Fabian Rangel or as he called him “Fobby”, “I enjoy playing with Fobby because he is a goal-keeper and I’m a goal-scorer and at practice it creates a fun rivalry.”
Speaking of scoring goals, Beta said that it’s one of the best feelings, “Once you score a goal, you mentally re-cap what you did to get that goal. It might have come from a run, or beating a defender. The pleasure comes from revaluating the way you did it and either doing it again, or finding a way to improve upon it.”
Satisfaction would turn into disappointment for Beta, because he has to sit out for the rest of the season due to yet another torn ACL.
In early Sept., the Rams were playing West Valley: a team that they’ve tied with and lost to in the play-offs back in 05′.
“During the first few minutes of the game, I happen to step the wrong way and the weight of my body came down on my leg wrong. I had my sights set on this season, also on my goals on what I wanted to push my future,” said Beta.
Beta said he plans to continue his soccer career at FCC with the hopes of moving on to a four year college, and even play professional soccer.