Chattahoochee's Post-Season Soccer Review

By Ashwin Haritsa

The Chattahoochee Soccer Team has won the region championship again. The boys were undefeated throughout the entire season and are currently ranked #9 in the nation. In 2011, the soccer team won the state championship by defeating McIntosh High School 3-0. The 2011 team was ranked #2 in the nation, and this year’s team has shown many similarities and unique differences which allowed them to dominate every single team they played.

This year, the Cougars transformed their team from last year and perfected the techniques needed to win each game. The new seniors and team captains taught each player to play his best and not to leave the game feeling disappointed. In order for these goals to be accomplished, the players had to buy into the system of teamwork and unselfishness. While last year’s team was talented with star player Adam Abdellaoui, they did not possess the teamwork necessary to be successful. This year’s captains Dara Mansouri (SR.), Owen Fierra (SR.), and Shane Burke (JR.), were able to lead the team through the difficult road for the title of “state champions.” After Friday night’s game where the Cougars captured the regional title, Burke expressed his excitement by stating, “I have no words to explain how I feel right now. The team worked extremely hard this year to get where we are, and we could not have done this without the support of our fans who stood in the pouring rain cheering us on.” Burke emerged this year as one of the team’s leading goal scorers and has been scouted by multiple colleges for potential scholarships. He is still undecided on which college he will attend, but he plans to work hard in the future and play soccer for a collegiate team.

Another player who greatly contributed to the team’s success was defender Hunter Phelps (JR.). Each game, he was able to ward off talented attackers scoring a goal for their team. On Thursday, the day before winning the region championship, Phelps expressed his opinions on which factors played a major role in the team’s success. He stated that, “Unlike last year’s team, this team has great chemistry, resilience and the tenacity to win. The leadership from the team’s captains helped set the tone of each game and allowed us to come out on top.” Phelps’s ability to cooperate with the other defenders, coupled with the brilliance of goalkeeper, Dara Mansouri, led the team to outscore each opponent by at least two goals. Although he is one of the lesser known players on the team, Phelps was able use his skills to win the region championship.

Alex Field (SO.) is also another starter on the soccer team who was able to contribute to the region title. When asked how he feels to be a starter on the varsity soccer team as an underclassman, he said, “Last year, I became really excited and motivated to work hard. Right after the last game of last season, the coach told me that I would start this year and I was extremely ecstatic.” This year, Field chose captain Owen Fierra as a role model; he admires Owen’s work ethic and the way he plays during each game. Next year, Field will be able to model Owen’s style of playing and hopefully become a team captain.

Field’s first year as a starter on the varsity soccer team has brought a lot of surprises. His favorite game during this season was when the Cougars played the Alpharetta Raiders, another one of the best teams in the region. The game ended in a tie and proceeded to extra time. After no goals had been scored during the extra time, the game advanced into a penalty shootout. The first three shots by each team differed significantly. Alpharetta had scored all three while Chattahoochee had only made one. This was when the major turning point occurred. The Hooch fans cheered as loudly as they could and tried to distract the Alpharetta players. Dara was able to block the remaining two shots while the Chattahoochee players made both of theirs and stepped into sudden death. Luckily, Chattahoochee was able to win the game and maintain their hopes as region champions. There is no wonder for why Field chose this game to be his favorite. It included an immense amount of suspense and excitement; Field also was one of the players to score during the penalty kicks.

This year’s Chattahoochee Varsity Soccer Team fought tirelessly against its opponents on the road to winning the region championship. The leadership of the team captains pushed each player to play his best and win each game. Players from all grade levels have significantly contributed to the team’s success and have created a very special team. It will be exciting to watch the Cougars in the playoffs as they pursue their next goal – winning the state championship.

(This story first appeared in The Speculator: Vision, Chattahoochee High School’s online newsmagazine.)