Prep soccer season starts 5-0
By starting the 2002 season with five straight wins, the Augusta Preparatory Day School soccer team has reached unchartered territory.
Augusta Prep's soccer team is taking a 5-0 record into a home game Tuesday against Bulloch Academy.
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"From what our research indicates, this is the first time a boys soccer team at Augusta Prep has been 5-0," Cavaliers coach Doug Williamson said. "At the end of last year, we saw signs that things were getting better. It's a good start to the season, but we have a long way to go."
Augusta Prep finished with a 5-10 record last season, but with some new players on the pitch, and with the returning starters setting a higher standard, Prep has already matched last year's win total.
"The captains (Mark LaVine, Wes Mishoe and Patrick Welch) and the upperclassmen want to have a winning season. The players have put forth the effort to make it possible," Williamson said. "The team leaders just decided to hold their peers accountable, as far as work ethic."
The Cavaliers kick started the 2002 campaign by posting three wins en route to capturing the title at the Monroe Academy Invitational. Prep followed with a 7-0 win in its home opener against Trinity Christian, and picked up a 2-0 victory in a Wednesday match at Alleluia.
"Team defending has been our strength," Williamson said. "They are working together and making sure we have spaces covered."
Sophomore Cole Portney and freshman Michael Smith have shared goalkeeping duties, and have combined to allow only one goal so far this season. Williamson also credited David Knerr, Ian Evans and B. Avery with solid play.
On offense, Patrick Welch has tallied six goals, while Thomas Knerr and Daniel Flannery have each scored four. Peter Schuhmacher, an international student from Germany, recently joined the team, and notched a goal and an assist during the win at Alleluia.
Augusta Prep has a chance to improve to 6-0 with a victory over visiting Bulloch Academy on Tuesday. The 5 p.m. match will be tough, though.
"That may be our strongest test yet," Williamson said.