DRIBBLING TO POSTSEASON: The Clarke Central High School varsity boys soccer team were defeated 4-1 by Apalachee High School on Mar. 20. Varsity boys head coach Chris Aiken thought that the game highlighted the team’s flaws and areas to improve upon. “We were up 1-0 in a region game and ended up losing that game. If you have the mental strength when you’re up 1-0 to just buy in on defense you can just win the game 1-0 and that region win would’ve been very important in getting us a playoff spot,” Aiken said. Photo by Chad Rhym.
By TIERNAN O’NEILL – Viewpoints Editor
The Clarke Central High School varsity boys soccer team is reflecting on their current region record and figuring how to improve in order to make the playoffs.
Varsity boys soccer head coach Chris Aiken has been working to rebuild the team after losing 16 of its 18 players last year. However, with the aid of leaders like juniors Scholl Wright, Cuauhtemoc Felix, Ivan Rogel and senior Gerardo Arteaga, Aiken believes he has coached the team to a solid mid season record.
“I think we’re right where we need to be,” Aiken said. “We’re 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the region and with the 2-2 record right now we can still get the two spot, three spot, four spot for the playoffs.”
While Aiken likes his team’s chances of making the playoffs he does note that some improvements need to be made.
“A lot of it is mental strength. We have the soccer skills, but a lot of these guys haven’t played varsity soccer,” Aiken said.
According to Aiken, a game that highlighted the team’s weaknesses was the one against Apalachee High School on Mar. 20. While the boys scored first and were up 1-0, they lacked the mental strength to keep their lead. The team ended up losing the game 4-1.
“That region win would’ve been very important in getting us a playoff spot,” Aiken said.
Rogel agrees with Aiken and thinks that the team still has work to do before they qualify the playoffs.
“So far I think (the season has) gone pretty good,” Rogel said. “Well the only bad thing about our team is that we have no offense really. That’s what we are trying to work on right now at practice.”
Looking ahead Aiken sees this year as valuable training for the teams young team.
“I think next year will be a lot like the past two years. Out of the 18 players we will return 16 of them. So we will have a lot depth. We will also have a lot of seniors next year which is important,” Aiken said.
