Boys Soccer Kicks Off
Payton Shiver
January 22, 2010
Filed under Sports
When contemplating the most common sport in the southern United States, only a handful even consider soccer to be one of them. In the world however, soccer is the most popular international sport. The Federation Internationale de Football Association, more commonly referred to as FIFA, uses the term “football” as the correct name for the sport played on the field between two goals. North Augusta High School’s soccer team has started conditioning, or getting in shape for their season. With a losing record of 7-13-1, and six seniors graduating last year, the team is in for a difficult climb.
Two of the six most memorable seniors from last season are defensive left back Cody Smartt, and sweeper, or center back, Joseph Oller. Varsity soccer coach Kevin Hughes believes Oller is their biggest loss going into this season. “As a captain and an all-region player…He will be very hard to replace.”
Another setback the team must face this year is Midland Valley High School’s formation of its own soccer team. For the past few years, students who wished to participate in soccer that attended Midland Valley have come to North Augusta for their soccer athletics. Midland Valley attendee Manny Ramirez will no longer be able to contribute to North Augusta, creating an even longer list of varsity players who must be replaced.
Senior and goalie Alex Baker says, “We lost a lot of defensive with the seniors last year. Manny was our leading goal scorer; we have to make up for that loss somehow. It’s going to be really difficult to replace him, especially if no one steps up this season.”
To improve their record and overcome the obstacles set before them, Coach Hughes said it will be a lot of hard work. “Our goal is to make play-offs this year. We have been working for three years towards this goal, and we have a lot of senior guys this year who are committed and want to see it happen. If we set that as our goal, we will improve.”
One of these committed seniors is Stephen Stuberfield, a midfielder. His expectations are, “to have a winning season. Hopefully we can make playoffs. Most of the team wants to go to state, especially our new coach, Mike Allen.” Allen is from South Aiken. This is his first year coaching at North Augusta.
North Augusta High School is placed in a tough, 4-A region for all sports. The competition between the high schools in the region resembles something closer to a collegiate level, improving many athletes in out area and creating a much more intense environment during sports. Coach Hughes feels his expectations may seem a little bit high because of the tough region North Augusta competes in, but the goal is “play-offs. Everyone wants to accomplish that.”
Any secret weapons North Augusta boys soccer may have this season are, as of now, undetermined. Hughes says it’s still too early in the year. “The whole team is balanced, so it’s hard to say.” The boys begin tryouts on February first, and the team will not be determined until closer to mid-February. Their season begins early March.
