After 30 years of coaching in the district, eight state championships, numerous Conference titles, multiple coach of the year awards and the prestigious National Coach of the Year award, boys’ soccer coach Steve Waters has a new accolade to add to his resume. With a victory over Windsor by a score of 6-0 Waters and his team earned his 500th career win.

Waters is one of two coaches in Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) history to reach such an accomplishment. Waters has earned this not just through his advanced soccer knowledge but also the respect and commitment he receives from his players and fellow coaches.

“I’ve enjoyed playing for Waters because he makes the game fun for us. We don’t dread our practices. We go to every game ready to play knowing who we’re playing for and what an honor it is to play for him,” senior captain Jared Edelson said.

Waters is not only an influence to his players but also to his assistant coach and long-time friend, coach Chris Garrahan.

“It has been an accumulation of hard work and great talent over the past 30 years,” Garrahan said.

Waters’ influence also extends off the pitch to the parents of the team.

“It has really been such an honor to watch all three of my sons play for Steve. They’ve learned so much from him that they can apply on and off the field,” mother of senior captain Evan Hughes, Laura Hughes said.

The chemistry that Waters has with this year’s team is unbreakable. Many of the players, including Edelson, are returning varsity players, which he believes will lead to success in this year’s season.

Edelson said, “With the combination of players who are used to the varsity level and younger guys who are thirsty for victory this year, with addition to Waters as our coach, we should be invincible this season.”

The team ended their regular season on October 28 and will head into the postseason.