Boys’ Soccer Looks Forward For A Great Season

Cambridge boys soccer returns for their first game of the season Thursday night with high expectations after the impressive 2018 season.

Thanks to a program record 19-2 season, the team finished ranked sixth in the nation, second in the state and first in the region. Along with this impressive record, the boys had a positive goal difference of 55 – another program record.

Several of the players were recognized by GHSA as standout individuals. Alumni John Crawley and Jarvin Ramirez along with current senior Ethan Rose were named to the region first team with Rose selected as Region Player of the Year. Additionally, Boys Varsity Head Coach Brian Wallace was chosen as Region Coach of the Year.

Wallace led the team through the regular season only picking up one loss in a controversial game against region opponent Alpharetta but still made it to state playoffs.

Each playoff game was a convincing victory against some of the state’s strongest.

However, the Bears fell short to Chattahoochee in a less than ideal state championship game. The final was contested in the mid-afternoon May heat in which temperatures stayed in the nineties and humidity close to 100 percent. The Cougars scraped by with a narrow 2-1 victory over a fatigued Cambridge squad ending the season on a bitter note.

“It was an extremely disappointing loss” said Wallace “but we want to make it to the final again this season.”

Even though the Bears put up impressive numbers last season, Wallace said the team is focusing on making it to state and performing there rather than trying to keep the same record as last year.

“Every year, we want to be better than the last and that means doing better at state this season. It is important that we measure against ourselves so we can be the best we can be.” said Wallace.

Practices this year are being focused around refining team play and eliminating mistakes.

“Training is going well” said senior defender Jack Tindle “We’re working on improving where we fell short last year.”

With only five starters graduated in 2018, much of the state finalist team is returning for another season. Additionally, 13 of the 18 varsity players are seniors with several years of experience at Cambridge.

“This allows us to train more on smaller details and work on plays rather than spending time working on fundamentals. The seniors know the system and what’s required.” said Wallace

“Most of us have played for the school for all four years so we know the ropes,” said senior goalie Nic Sides “There’s a good deal of experience amongst us and it will come in handy this season.”

This supply of seasoned players will be a considerable benefit to the team as they have worked with Wallace for several years and are aware of the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Cambridge hosts Central Forsyth on Jan 31st in the season opener. The Bulldogs finished 62nd in the state in 2018 with a record of 11-8-2.

“It’s our first game so we want to get off to a good start but we’re not going to underestimate them.” said Sides.

Cambridge boys soccer returns for their first game of the season Thursday night with high expectations after the impressive 2018 season.

Thanks to a program record 19-2 season, the team finished ranked sixth in the nation, second in the state and first in the region. Along with this impressive record, the boys had a positive goal difference of 55 – another program record.

Several of the players were recognized by GHSA as standout individuals. Alumni John Crawley and Jarvin Ramirez along with current senior Ethan Rose were named to the region first team with Rose selected as Region Player of the Year. Additionally, Boys Varsity Head Coach Brian Wallace was chosen as Region Coach of the Year.

Wallace led the team through the regular season only picking up one loss in a controversial game against region opponent Alpharetta but still made it to state playoffs.

Each playoff game was a convincing victory against some of the state’s strongest.

However, the Bears fell short to Chattahoochee in a less than ideal state championship game. The final was contested in the mid-afternoon May heat in which temperatures stayed in the nineties and humidity close to 100 percent. The Cougars scraped by with a narrow 2-1 victory over a fatigued Cambridge squad ending the season on a bitter note.

“It was an extremely disappointing loss” said Wallace “but we want to make it to the final again this season.”

Even though the Bears put up impressive numbers last season, Wallace said the team is focusing on making it to state and performing there rather than trying to keep the same record as last year.

“Every year, we want to be better than the last and that means doing better at state this season. It is important that we measure against ourselves so we can be the best we can be.” said Wallace.

Practices this year are being focused around refining team play and eliminating mistakes.

“Training is going well” said senior defender Jack Tindle “We’re working on improving where we fell short last year.”

With only five starters graduated in 2018, much of the state finalist team is returning for another season. Additionally, 13 of the 18 varsity players are seniors with several years of experience at Cambridge.

“This allows us to train more on smaller details and work on plays rather than spending time working on fundamentals. The seniors know the system and what’s required.” said Wallace

“Most of us have played for the school for all four years so we know the ropes,” said senior goalie Nic Sides “There’s a good deal of experience amongst us and it will come in handy this season.”

This supply of seasoned players will be a considerable benefit to the team as they have worked with Wallace for several years and are aware of the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Cambridge hosts Central Forsyth on Jan 31st in the season opener. The Bulldogs finished 62nd in the state in 2018 with a record of 11-8-2.

“It’s our first game so we want to get off to a good start but we’re not going to underestimate them.” said Sides.