Soccer squads head for “Senior Night” showdowns vs. Chappies
By Pete Mohr | January 28, 2009
CSHS – On a cold night in Tempe last early-February, after his Soccer “Lads” had been ousted from the State Tour-nament by Millennium, 1-4, Head Coach Mat Evans didn’t sugarcoat his disappointment in his team’s lackluster play. So when he told me January 22, “Senior Night is going to be a very emotional night for the boys – and for me,” I know he means it. “You see,” Coach Evans continued, “I’ve coached most of these 12 lads since 7th grade.” 
And even though his Girls team rosters only two seniors (Co-Captain Alana Hutz and Courtney Kenyon), “Senior Night” will be no less emotional for Head Coach Jeff Vittorio, as both squads seek to “repeat” as Desert Sky Region Champions by beating those Scottsdale Chap-pies, whom they doubled at Chaparral last season. Nothing would be sweeter for the Firebirds than to spoil the Falcons’ “Senior Night.”
No. 6-ranked Falcon Boys, after shutouts at McClintock (1-0, Jan. 22) and Shadow Mountain (5-0, Jan. 26) are unbeaten and unscored upon in regular season play. No. 8-ranked Lady Falcons, at “Mac” (2-1, Jan. 22) and at home vs. Shadow (6-0, Jan. 26), are also undefeated in regular season. Teams ranking No. 1 through No. 8 will play State 1st Round matches at home.
At Falcon Stadium on the 29th, Girls start at 4:00 p.m.; Boys, two hours later. They’ve earned – and would appreciate – a big home crowd.
Photos by Pete Mohr:
LADS & DAD: No one will be sadder to see these 12 “Soccer Lads” play their last regular season home game (“Senior Night,” vs. Chaparral, January 29), than “Soccer Dad,” Head Coach Mat Evans (rear); (front, l-r) Tyler Bradshaw, Co-Capts. Jake Walker & Matt Moorer, Max Hammer, Nate Barker, Tyler McClendon; (back, l-r) Bobby Silva, Garrett Sherman, Kurt Gilbertson, Brendan O’Hearn, Cody Williams, T.J. Marsh.
TWO SENIORS: Co-Captain Alana Hutz and Courtney Kenyon
(r & l) will play their last regular season game at home for Head Coach Jeff Vittorio on “Senior Night,” January 29.
