Words: Joey Sedlacko
As the 2019-20 fall sports season comes to an end, we look back on the accomplishments of Centennial’s soccer program.
Under first-year head coach Hank Hurren, the girls’ Varsity soccer team finished the regular season with a 5-3-1 in-county record and an overall record of 8-5-1.
“Our team was most proud of the easy transition we had from our old coach to our new coach. We had a new coach with a new coaching style and we came out with a winning season that was much better than the years past. It was something that many of us were worried about going in but it really ended up being better and we accomplished more than any of us could have imagined,” senior Gabrielle Castle-Smith said.
The team’s chemistry stood out to senior captain Ashely Bilger and was a reason their team was successful.
“Our team chemistry really improved throughout the season. The girls on JV last year and the returning Varsity players had to get accustomed to playing with each other. With each practice there was improvement, and we began to connect really well in games,” stated Bilger. “Coach also emphasized the importance of communication this season. I think that was an area we really struggled with, but with practice and repetition we were better [at] communicating on the field.”
The girls’ season came to an end when rival Mount Hebron High School knocked the team out in the first round of the playoffs.
As for the boys, their Varsity team ended the season with an overall record of 8-6-1. After a slow start to the year, they changed their mindset which helped them find success later on in the season.
“We turned our season around in the second half. We played with more intensity and came into each game with a winning attitude,” said senior captain Zach Grable.
Although the team lost in the opening round of the playoffs against Marriotts Ridge High School, they reflect positively on the season.
The highlight of the season, according to senior Darian Avery, came when they defeated River Hill High School, one of the top teams in the state.
“We made the best out of a young team that began with little chemistry and turned it into a team that played with plenty of pride,” Avery said. “We started off slow, but ended up taking down River Hill, which was definitely our proudest moment this season.”
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