Boys Soccer Season Has Ups and Downs

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Jayden Barfuss, Staff Writer

Coming off the best season in Thunder Ridge History with a 14-3 record and state runners ups, the Thunder Ridge Boys Soccer team looked to repeat their success from last year. As the season approached high expectations for the Titans began, and they lived up to them as they are heading to state for the 4th year in a row. 

The Titans started the season by rolling into 8 wins in their first 9 games, including wins over conference foes Idaho Falls, Rigby, and Highland. Going into their first matchup vs Madison, the Titans came in 8-1 (3-0) in conference.

As they got off to a fiery start, the Titans crashed losing their next 3 games to put their record to 8-4 (3-2) in conference after that losing streak The Titans finished the season with 2 wins and their only draw of the season putting their final record at 10-1-4 and 5-1-2 in conference.

To begin districts, the Titans came in as the #2 seed, and after day 1 they faced Idaho falls for a chance to play in the district championship. Through a hard-fought game, after trailing 1-0 at the half, the Titans rattled off 3 second-half goals by Marco Acosta, Tyler Thompson, and Adrian Trejo to secure their spot in the title game as they beat Idaho Falls 3-1. 

Two days later the Titans traveled up to Madison to take on the Bobcats for the title game. Once again they were behind, allowing another 1st half goal, going into the half down 1-0, then a spark of magic as Dallin Serr scored a goal from way out to tie the game up.

As the drama could not get more intense, in double overtime Israel Chavez in the 99th minute, 1 minute left until penalty kicks, won us the game and the title with a score of 2-1!

As the clock hit zero, the emotions and relief were amazing. After catching up with  Senior Goalkeeper Adam Kennedy, he thought this was his favorite moment ever. “ Oh this one for sure!” Senior center back Bryson Straton, coming off of an ACL injury last year, felt like he never missed a beat, and “it feels amazing; feels like I never missed a beat.”

You need a great coach to be successful and Junior center back Spencer Thompson thinks that Coach Toldson has taught him  “is to obey and trust the process.”

This year has been full of ups and downs, but through everything, the Titans are 3 wins away from their goal. Starting Thursday they will get that chance for that State Title when they play Boise.