After a tough 0-2 loss to Science Hill last week, CHS boy’s soccer team is on a roll with recent wins against David Crockett at home on Saturday, April 14 and Halls on April 20 with scores of 4-0 and 6-0, bringing their season record to 7-2-1.
One key to the team’s success is senior keeper In Mendenhall. After defeating Halls, the teams Twitter account reported, “Mendenhall records his 4th Clean sheet of the season. His performance tonight marks the second time (this season) he’s done it in back-to-back games.”
Senior player Gabe Katz notes some early season surprises, “So far it has been good, and we’ve been controlling the ball good, we’ve put in goals, and practices are intense.” Their upset wins against CAK and Oak Ridge “definitely [weren’t] supposed to happen” joked Katz.
According to players, practices center around ball movement and the team’s preferred style of play. Coach Quinn commend their progress as a team and also note elements of success that evolve organically, “this team has impressed me in many ways. Chemistry is something that can’t be coached. It either exists or it doesn’t. It can be developed, but not coached…Not only do they get along well, they can anticipate each other well. When that kind of understanding is present with a team, they don’t have to react to something happening, they can sense that it will, and be a step ahead of their opponent.”
“Monday night [the rescheduled Bearden Game] when they faced arguably the best team in the state. Our guys held that scoreless for 28 minutes, and even in a loss (our first on the season) they stuck together and fought to the end.”
In the opinion of Coach Quinn the CHS soccer team’s best play was against CAK on April 1. The game was their fourth victory of the season and overall top playoff of the season, “The guys ran our system well and possessed the ball in a way that forced CAK to play the way we wanted them to and not the other way around. We made passes and plays when we needed them and scored the goals we did in the opportunities we were given. It was team effort and a team victory…”
Coach Quinn also expressed that, “seeing these guys accomplish what they have so far has been exciting…I am extremely proud of them and I’m excited to see what this team will accomplish as we progress and grow over the next month and hopefully beyond.”
It’s clear the team is diligent about being prepared for all of their games. Students, staff, and family can’t wait to continue cheering on the team as they turn their focus towards District play.
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