Guy Campbell '00 does not care much for the perception that he has a young soccer team.
In fact, the coach believes that experience along with chemistry will be strong suits for Christ School this season.
“We did lose a lot of seniors (from 2018), but I would argue that we are a veteran team,” Campbell said. “We are very junior and senior-heavy. We’ve got a good group of kids and the dynamic of this group seems to be jelling earlier than expected. I’m really excited about this group. I think they are going to surprise the coaching staff, and I think we’ll surprise others with how we’re going to play.”
Thursday is the season opener for both the varsity and JV – at home against Charlotte Providence Day at 4:30 p.m. The varsity game will be shown live on the Christ School Broadcast Network.
Looking at the varsity roster, the Greenies have four returning starters in defender/midfielder Connor Hall ’20 – an NCISAA all-state and Asheville Citizen-Times’ All-Western North Carolina selection as a junior – along with forward/midfielder Carson Campbell ’21, midfielder/forward Jack Lee ’21, and forward/midfielder Adam Keever ’20. Other players with experience at the varsity level are goalkeeper Michael Mahoney ’20, defender/midfielder Aaron Chen ’20, defender Kevin Masson ’20, defender/midfielder Tyler Bell ’21, and midfielder/defender Ollie Searle ’21.
New additions who have stood out in the preseason are midfielder/defender Fox Smith ’21, midfielder Ethan Rose ’23, and forward/midfielder Jackson Knoll ’23.
“Our outlook going in is we’re a lot further ahead than some past years,” Campbell said.
“Whereas in years past we were trying out different formations and looking to figure things out, instead we are looking to win games. The guys have really hit the ground running. We had good participation in team camps and because of our numbers and alumni coming back, we’ve been able to play full 11-on-11 games and prepare for game-type situations.”
Taking stock of his program, Campbell is especially proud of all the amenities that Christ School has to offer. New for this year, the Greenies have a coach solely dedicated to player development in alumnus Daniel Shaw ’13, to go along with experienced assistants Benjie Colberg and Caleb Sonneland. Not only that, yoga sessions are being added to the weekly routine with the help of Mary Kinsey Hyche, the wife of Dean of Students Drew Hyche ’94.
“We are offering the boys the highest level of training, top to bottom. From incorporating player fitness and development to strengthening and rehabilitation, the facilities, even the food they are eating in the dining hall,” Campbell said.
“We are doing our best to mimic what high-level college and pro programs do. It should really prepare us well for these early-season tests.”