It is a year of change in the 8th District for boys’ soccer. There are now five schools in the district, instead of four, even if it is just for one season. And, there are four new head coaches of those five teams as the season gets underway.
For Christian County, the change in the leadership of the program was a matter of keeping it ‘all in the family.’ Avery Seeger takes over from Arne Seeger as the head coach for the Colonels for what is expected to be the final year for the program ahead of the merger of Christian County High School and Hopkinsville High School.
Last year, Christian County finished the season at 7-10-2, but that could just have easily been 13-6. In addition to the two ties, four of the Colonels’ losses came by scores of 2-1, matches which the Colonels had the chances to walk off the pitch with the win, including a double-overtime loss to Hopkinsville in the semifinals of the 8th District tournament.
Defensively last season, Christian County did what was needed to stay in matches, holding opponents to 2 or fewer goals in 13 matches. If the two preseason scrimmages are any indication, the Colonels could be strong defensively again. In the scrimmages against Graves County and Russellville, Christian County did not surrender a goal, while the offense managed enough to put the ball in the net twice at Graves County and four times against Russellville.
If the Colonels can find a bit more firepower on offense, they could take another significant step forward this season. Ten times in 2022, the Colonels were limited to a single goal or less in a match. Christian County has been aggressive on offense in the two scrimmages giving them more opportunities to come up with solid shots on goal.
There were some key graduation losses for Christian County but the Colonels also return some talented players and look for some younger faces to step up and become a bigger part of the action on the pitch in 2023.
Senior Bryan Linares is the leading returning scorer for the Colonels. Linares finished the 2022 season with 8 goals and four assists. Leland Creamer has been solid in the two scrimmage wins and could be a big factor for Christian County in 2023. Creamer is a physical presence with a big leg in the middle for the Colonels.
Look for Noah Davis and Christian Lopez to play bigger roles for the Colonels this fall.
One of the biggest holes to fill on the field will be in goal, where longtime keeper Josh Settle graduated in May. Through two scrimmages, sophomore Mason Malone has slammed the door in goal and appears to give the Colonels a solid last line of defense.
The schedule will test the Colonels over the course of the season with matchups against Murray, Henderson County, Owensboro Catholic, Madisonville-North Hopkins, UHA, and Ohio County.
Christian County opens the season Monday evening when they host Franklin-Simpson at the Stadium of Champions.
