Making headway
Last soccer season the Cedar Shoals boys varsity soccer team had a six game winning streak. Then on April 2, 2019 the GHSA officially cancelled the rest of the soccer season along with all other spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fast forward six months later, and the boys soccer program has begun preparing for a new season.
Starting in Oct., 20 boys began attending conditioning twice a week with additional workouts on Wednesday mornings. The boys participate in running and outdoor fitness drills as well as weight room workouts. Senior Allen Lopez hopes this time will help the team address its weaknesses.
“(Last season) we had a great midfield, great offense, and a great defense. We could play on the corner and we could hold up the ball well, but we didn’t transition well when playing defense or on a counter. We didn’t run up and play offense as a team,” Lopez said. Recently he was awarded a regional Georgia Positive Athlete Award for his infectious, positive attitude.
Because of their early success last season, the boys soccer team has received more recognition at the state level.
“Coaches and programs across the state are a little more familiar with Cedar Shoals soccer now. So when they see that school name pop up next to a player’s name they take that player more seriously, because they know that the program has had success,” co-head coach Connor Naughton said.
After a statewide selection process junior Enock Maganda and senior Eber Lopez were selected for the Georgia High School Soccer Preseason All-state Team. Senior Allen Lopez, junior Hossiel Pena and senior Edwin Reyes were selected as honorable mentions.
“I think the recognition is a great reflection of the quality of the whole team,” Naughton said.
Last school year the boys varsity team was undefeated and was headed to playoffs before their season was cut short.
“We hope to pick up where we left off. We could have made a great run last year and I think we can carry that on this year,” Lopez said.
The first official game of the soccer season is scheduled for Jan. 29 against Social Circle.
