A year after establishing himself as one of the area’s top soccer players, Maize South’s Aldo Acosta enters the new season looking to build on his success while helping the Mavericks take the next step as a team.
Acosta returns after scoring 17 goals and recording 11 assists in 22 games last season. His performance earned him first-team all-state, All-Metro first-team and AVCTL Division I first-team honors.
Rather than focusing solely on last year’s accomplishments, Acosta spent the offseason preparing to become a more complete player and a stronger leader for his teammates.
“I’m most excited to compete with my teammates and see how much we can improve together,” Acosta said. “I’m looking forward to the games, building chemistry with the team, and pushing ourselves to have a successful season.”
Acosta consistently worked out in the gym during the offseason, focusing on becoming stronger and improving his athleticism. He also attended the Maize South summer camp, where he continued developing his soccer skills while working on conditioning and his understanding of the game.
Along with the physical preparation, Acosta placed an emphasis on strengthening his mental approach to the game.
“I’ve also been working on staying disciplined and becoming mentally stronger so I can handle pressure and challenges better during the season,” Acosta said.
One of Acosta’s primary goals entering the season is to improve his confidence and consistency on the field. He used the offseason to address both areas through additional training, extra touches on the ball and work in the gym.
Acosta said becoming mentally stronger has been just as important as improving his physical skills.
“I’ve also focused on becoming mentally stronger and staying confident even when things don’t go my way,” Acosta said.
With another season ahead, Acosta has individual goals that extend beyond simply matching last year’s production. He wants to improve his fitness and technical ability while becoming a player his teammates can depend on in important moments.
“Individually, I want to become a better and more complete soccer player, improve my fitness and skills, and be someone my teammates can rely on,” Acosta said.
For Maize South, Acosta’s goals are centered on the team. He wants the Mavericks to develop strong chemistry, compete in every game and put themselves in position for a deep postseason run.
“Most importantly, I want us to work hard for each other and have a successful season,” Acosta said.
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