The Liberty Christian boys soccer team recently traveled to the MCSAA Division I State Tournament this past weekend. While the Eagles did not receive the outcome they were looking for, Head Coach Ken Dildine is expecting success in the future.
The team played in three games and lost 8-0, 2-1 and 2-1. Dildine noted the team played well, but they ultimately could not find the back of the net.
This was the first year the Eagles had been moved up a division, and faced bigger schools. They had previously played in Division II.
“Our expectations were kind of right in the middle and we were hoping to favor in the middle of the pack, but luck didn’t go our way,” Dildine said. “It was a good challenge for us to be in that higher division and it gives us a goal to shoot for next year.”
Despite losing all three games, Dildine touted his team for their performance, specifically in the last two games.
“Nobody wants to lose three straight games in the state’s finals, but the boys worked hard all year long. We built to try to make it into the state finals and try and do our best there,” Dildine said.
Before heading into the state tournament, the team held a record of 9-8-1 and they placed second in the MAC conference tournament.
In addition, Willy Mueller earned MAC first-team all-conference honors and Landon McCarthy was an honorable mention. Overall, Dildine was pleased with the season.
“We beat a lot of teams that we were not expected to beat this year and I think this was the first time we beat Westwood in however many years I can remember playing them,” Dildine said.
Dildine noted the 1-0 win over Westwood on Oct. 12 was a turning point in their season that motivated them going into state.
After watching the team perform at state, Dildine has a positive outlook for the program’s future and believes they will only come back stronger, especially after losing only two seniors.
“I have a good, strong feeling, even going into that tournament next year, that we will be a force to reckon with,” Dildine said.
