The Freedom High School boys’ soccer team is on fire this year. Under the direction of their new coach, Craig Morgan, the Bulldogs are off to a great start for the 2013 season. In regards to how the team will do this year, “I feel like we’re going to #turnup,” Junior Lane Mankevich said.
With an outstanding 8-4 win against Southside on Sept. 3, the team was excited to play Central Valley on Sept. 5. The Central Valley game started off with Senior Gage Kemerer scoring in the first 30 seconds. Both teams went into the game with previous wins and worked hard to defend their status.
The offensively strong Central Valley team made for a tough game. Despite the opponents’ strength, Kemerer scored once again in the first half. Senior Matt Pavlick threw the ball back into the game toward Kemerer. Meanwhile, Kemerer bounced the ball off of his head into the net, scoring for Freedom. Pavlick, with pure determination, headed straight up the middle of the field for an impressive goal in the second half.
Senior Tyler Shingleton and Junior Sam Sharpless showed great teamwork and helped Freedom’s defense remain strong throughout the entire game, which allowed for a shutout against Central Valley.
“It felt like the world was lifted off our shoulders; we went in as the underdogs and dominated the game with a 3-0 win,” said Mankevich.
The Junior Varsity team is also doing fantastic this season with wins against Southside and Central Valley as well. Freshmen Jarret Boyd, Joey Pail and Junior Chris Droz all scored against Central Valley for a 3-2 victory.
Freshman Jordan Herzog is showing remarkable success blocking goals as a goalie. Herzog had a great save in the last eight seconds of the Junior Varsity game, helping to secure another win for the team.
The team plays on Tuesday and Thursday each week and occasionally on Monday evenings. Watch DTV for game locations and times. Why not head out to a game to support and encourage the Freedom boys’ soccer team so their winning streak isn’t broken?