Boys soccer team headed to State as Area Champions

The Union County boys soccer squad are 12-1 and have won 12 games in a row after a 3-0 loss to Lumpkin in the first game of the year. Since that time Union has changed their line up and made some adjustments that have really helped. According to Coach West, the reason has been so successful is due to a few reasons: "our midfield of Russell Thompson, Luis Mancillas, Brett Scezespanski, & Matt McCombs has been very good and usually wins the battle in the middle, (2) our team defense has been outstanding and has been led by the play of Leland Sarrell at keeper, Jacob Spaulding at Sweeper, and Michael Driskell and Josh Kamber at marking backs, (3) they have bought into the three things that I stress in basketball as well as soccer teamwork, defense, and hustle," said West.

The team has 7 players with at least 3 goals and 3 players with at least 8 assists which is evidence of their teamwork. The team has 6 shutouts in a row and has only given up 6 goals all year or 3 goals in their last 12 games which is evidence of their defense. "The fact that we have done both of these things means their is some hustling going on," said West.

Union has won the area for the first time in school history, and have clinched a #1 seed and a homefield game against either Lafayette or Calhoun at UCHS on Thursday April 24th. "I will give the kids Spring Break off after our game against Lakeview this Friday and then we will get back to work when we get back and try to get back in shape and get prepared for our game in the State Tournament," said West. " I am trying to find a team to play us the week we get back so that we can get the rust out or we will go 20 days without a game and that is not good!"

"The boys have been very disciplined and have done everything that has been asked of them," said West. "We have been complemented on four different occasion at restaurants or convenience stations on our behavior, and have not had any incidents on the field this year. They have been a pleasure to coach and the Seniors have been a great group of guys that really care for each other and get along really well; after coaching girls for years in basketball, I have been used to drama, and we have had none whatsoever with this team and that is a credit to these young men not caring who gets the credit or scores the goals; they just want to win! I think they have accepted me fine and feel that they got used to me the first week that basketball was over. Before that I do not think they really knew who I was because we rarely saw each other, but once we we were all together for a few days they understood what I was all about and what I expected, and they were willing to give it....it has been one of those seasons where everything has just come together and that is a credit to the young men and their belief in me and each other. I hope we continue to do well!"

UC's last 6 games and opponents record:

Dawson 2-0	7-6
Dawson 2-0	7-7
Rabun 3-0	4-7
Towns 5-0	2-8
Fannin 1-0	5-8
Banks 8-0	7-7