Thursday afternoon was akin to Christmas morning for Christ School soccer players and coaches.
The Green-White preseason scrimmage represented the first athletic event of any kind for the school since March.
“I don’t think anyone slept last night,” Greenies coach Guy Campbell ‘00 said. “The butterflies were definitely there. A real game with referees, and a livestream (on the Christ School Broadcast Network). It’s something that I know the kids and myself did not take for granted.”
Daniel Potapov ’22, Carter Compton ’24, and Carson Campbell ’21 scored second-half goals to allow the White team to come from behind for a 3-1 win. Carter and fellow freshman Jake Jarrett ’24 were credited with assists.
Only 1 minute and 9 seconds had ticked off the clock when the Green team scored the scrimmage’s first goal off a set piece. A long throw-in by Tyler Bell ’21 was collected by Ethan Rose ’24, who then flicked the ball to Luke Rheney ’21.
Billy Thackston ’21, Sawyer Breiter ’22, and Mitch Donahoo ’21 were the goalkeepers for Thursday’s game and all were credited with saves.
Christ School has five starters back from last year’s 10-8 team which reached the NCISAA 4-A state playoffs. Carson is a returning All-Carolinas Athletic Association forward who scored eight goals and gave out five assists as a junior. Coach Campbell said he not only likes the depth and talent of this year’s squad but feels like the Greenies are further along in their training.
Christ School is scheduled to play 10 regular-season games this fall, starting with a Sept. 22 home game against High Point Wesleyan Christian.
“Our schedule is tough, probably one of the toughest in the state,” Coach Campbell said. “We can’t wait to test ourselves.”