Watching the ball sail past the opposing goalkeeper, Tacto Yamada ’27 holds his breath; although he has just scored his second goal of the season, Yamada’s celebration is brief as he rushes back to the defense. The atmosphere is tense: Princeton still trails local rivals Princeton Day by one. However, Yamada’s first-half goal helped inspire the varsity boys soccer team to a second-half comeback, scoring five more goals to end the game with a score of 6–2.
Yamada’s journey with the sport began when he was only six years old, initially encouraged by his parents.
“I got into soccer as a kid back in Japan,” said Yamada. “My parents would try [me] out for many sports. ... I [thought] it was really fun, and I [joined] a travel team from Japan.”
Today, Yamada serves as one of three captains of the soccer team alongside fellow seniors Harvey Smith ’27 and Kian Asaie ’27. In fact, goalkeeper Alex Wayne ’29 has found Yamada to be a standout role model after watching him play last year and working with him this year.
“He’s impacting the team on many more levels [than] his passes and dribbles,” said Wayne. “It isn’t just [his performance on the field], but also his leadership. Everyone around the team likes him and respects him.”
As a part of the defense, Yamada had to step up this year to fill in the roles left behind by last year’s seniors.
“Last year, [Chase Hamerschlag ’26] was such a standout, and that’s why we had so many clean sheets last year.”
Although last year’s team boasted 11 clean sheets in 22 games, this year’s team is currently working toward that number with eight clean sheets in seven fewer games. Regardless, Head Coach Ryan Walsh has attributed part of their success to the versatility and stability of Yamada, who is able to play both as a defender and a defensive midfielder.
“Last year and this year, he’s been really steady,” said Walsh. “The key to every successful team is having a defensive center [midfielder] that can break so many plays.”
On the other hand, Yamada must consider factors beyond his individual performance because of his new role this year.
“We’ve handled so many tough losses and [injuries],” said Yamada. “As a captain, I’d say no matter the losses, I think I have to gather everyone up.”
While some lead by being extremely vocal, Yamada is able to inspire and encourage his teammates by setting the standard.
“He’s a tireless worker on the field, and the position he plays for us doesn’t get enough glory,” said Walsh. “A defender [of] his work rate [is] all over the field. You’ll see him running from box to box.”
Moreover, his performances have impressed coaches other than Walsh, who heard about Yamada before he joined the varsity team in his sophomore year.
“I heard about him [in] his freshman year with the freshman team,” said Walsh. “[After] he made the varsity team, he’s been a fit, tireless worker.”
Even though Yamada has been a consistent presence on the team, he has had to work on making sure he is able to balance the sport with his academics.
“Sometimes it’s really hard, you know, I have to practice every single day of the week,” said Yamada. “[So], when I have the time, I do my schoolwork, show up to practice, and give my 100 percent.”
This holds especially true for someone like Yamada who plays multiple sports on the varsity level. For Yamada, who plays second singles on the boys tennis team, it speaks to his natural affinity for soccer.
“I don’t really train that much since I play tennis during the spring,” said Yamada. “I’d train only during the summer and try to get ready for the season.”
Regardless, Yamada consistently played throughout the regular season where the team won the divisional title, which earned them a bye into the quarterfinal round of the CVC tournament as the first seed.
Although his time with the team is coming to a close, Yamada believes in the benefits of the sports, encouraging others to at least try the sport.
“No matter what happens, your teammate will be there, and it’s gonna be really fun,” said Yamada.