Faith boys move closer to their first soccer playoff berth since finals appearance in 2015 after blanking Weaver
Tuesday’s results
Boys games
Faith Christian 6, Weaver 0
Jacksonville 4, Munford 0
Donoho 2, Westbrook Christian 2
Girls games
Weaver 3, Faith Christian 1
By Al Muskewitz
WEAVER – The Faith Christian soccer team is so close to their first playoff spot in seven years they can see, but the Lions want it all to play out before claiming anything.
They did move a step closer Tuesday with a 6-0 victory over Weaver. It puts them in a good position but they’re not taking anything for granted.
“We didn’t think we were going to be here after our (3-0) loss to Saks,” Lions co-coach Ryan Price said. “So, we’re very glad to be here. The guys didn’t give up on the season, they didn’t give up on the games.”
Since that loss to Saks, the Lions (8-4) have gone 3-1 and scored 20 goals in the three wins. They’re 3-2 in the area with Donoho left to play, but will be keeping a close eye on the Saks-Weaver match Thursday night.
The Lions split with Saks, but the Wildcats hold a plus-1 goal differential. Weaver beat Saks in their first meeting 2-1.
“We’ve done everything we can do,” Price said. “That’s what we’ve asked of the boys and they took it serious. I think they’re very focused right now.”
Faith hasn’t haven’t been to the playoffs since 2015, when it played in the Class 1A-3A championship game. But one of the reasons the Lions are so cautious is they’ve come close several times since only to fall a little short every time.
“It’s always been the goal to go to the playoffs ever since my freshman year,” senior forward Nic Goodgame said. “I want to wait until it really happens (to talk about it).”
Goodgame scored three straight first-half goals, including a penalty kick midway through the half to give the Lions a 4-0 halftime lead. He now has 24 goals on the season.
Brady Whitworth was credited with the game’s first goal after his corner kick caromed into the goal off a Weaver defender. Cameron Rogers and Daniel Blackstone scored in the second half.
Freshman Mason Blackstone turned back several challenges in goal and recorded the shutout.
“We talk to him about being bold and he is,” Price said. “His physical maturation and his fearlessness has really come along the last two years.”
Weaver won the girls game 3-1. Ximena Chavez scored two goals and Sholanda Appling one for the Lady Bearcats. Katelyn Gruber made seven saves in goal. [*** Read more]
Faith 4 2 – 6
Weaver 0 0 – 0
Goals: Faith Christian – Brady Whitworth, 4:21; Nic Goodgame, 6:55; Nic Goodgame, 11:08; Nic Goodgame (penalty kick), 19:17; Cameron Rogers, 41:52; Daniel Blackstone, 58:51.
