Senior Randy Yan in semi-final game. (Courtesy/Chuck yan)
The CA boys soccer team’s successful 2017 season came to an end on Wednesday, November 1.
The boys suffered a 4-1 loss in the regional semi-finals against Tippecanoe. Although junior David Barren put the ball in the back of the net, the Red Devils shut down the Vikings for the remainder of the game to preserve the win.
Despite the tough loss, the Vikings have no reason to hang their heads. The boys reclaimed the Bexley Cup with a win over the Lions in the regular season before eventually beating them again in the district semi-finals. They also avenged their 2016 tournament loss, by edging Wellington.
These accomplishments only seem more impressive when putting into perspective the level of competition Academy faced this year, when the team moved up from Division III to Division II. Head coach Ron Leach and Athletic Director Dominic Facciolla said that the move was OHSAA initiated.
Teams are placed into Divisions based on a point system. Each player counts as a certain number of points, and more points are added if that player came to the school after 6th grade.
The Vikes were given 76 extra points, placing them in Division II for the first time. Mr. Facciolla said that the extra points were due to an increase in the sport’s interest over the past few years, coupled with the fact that CA does not cut players. Additionally, several players—including three starters —transferred to the school after 6th grade, which adds points.
The division change meant bigger schools and harder competition in league games and post season. But the boys rose to the occasion, winning both the league and districts titles
Though Mr. Facciolla prefers to play in Division III because of CA’s relatively small size, he was immensely proud of the Vikings, saying, “We won a league with state contenders: Wellington, Grandview Heights, Worthington Christian, and Bexley-winning that league was hugely successful.”
Coach Leach added, “I thought our boys played very well. They played for each other, played with passion, and worked hard throughout the season. Credit goes to them for their desire to improve and win games.”
Congratulations to seniors Connor Brown, Jay Chester, Karibi Hart, Justin Kahle, Keiran Law, Jack Ostrowski, Angus Soderberg, and Randy Yan on a fantastic final season.
