News

Aquinas Soccer Celebrates Third Consecutive District Championship

The youngest starting eleven in the boys soccer programs history proved all doubters wrong this season as they captured their third straight district title as well as advancing to the regional final for the second year in a row. After graduating 9 seniors, 2 All-Ohio, 1 All-Region, and Stark County player of the year many people wrote off the young Knights team and never thought they would advance yet again to the final eight teams in the state.

The road was long and the schedule extremely difficult for the boys as they faced multiple state and nationally ranked teams over the course of the regular season. In fact, the schedule contained 9 district finalists, 5 regional, and 2 state qualifiers. Taking their knocks the team still believed that facing these difficult opponents only prepared them for later in the season where they would be prepared to play at a high level.

The season was filled with many highs and lows, and with the young team came some inconsistencies that previous teams had not had to face. However, late in the regular season after a disappointing 2-0 loss to league opponent Berlin Hiland and hopes of a third district title dimming, the Knights finally emerged as the team they knew they could be. The youth and inexperience transformed to a team hardened with tough opponents and heartbreaking losses, finally prepared to make their move. The boys then ensued on a six game unbeaten streak where they did not concede a goal. It included upsetting the top two seeds in the district, and then upsetting one of the state favorites Lake Ridge Academy (15-2-2) in the regional semi-final in very dramatic fashion.

The boys are very proud of their accomplishments this season and caught a glimpse of the potential of the future with the Knights only starting two seniors. All of the technical, tactical, and fitness training finally began to pay off late in the season and they will use this as a springboard to work even harder in the off season.

The boy’s soccer program has made history yet again, not just within the school, but also tying the Stark County record of winning three consecutive district championships. Next year the boys will be more determined than ever to break that record, but for now they can enjoy the historical season of 2008.

Coach Damien Marchione