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Alliance Invitational - Coach's Report

The Hoover Boys’ Soccer Team participated in the Alliance Invitational on July 23 and 24. The team played six games and ended with a 3-2-1 record. The coaching staff was very pleased with the continuing progress shown by the players individually and as a team throughout the weekend.

The team’s first game was against a very strong and skilled Olentangy Liberty team. After scoring the first goal given up by Olentangy in the tournament and leading 1-0, we lost 3-1. The match was much closer than the score indicated and the invitational was off to a promising start. The team battled the oppressive heat and the next two opponents, beating both River View and St. Vincent-St. Mary to finish out the day.

Sunday started with a noon game against perennial area powerhouse, Walsh Jesuit. It was a tightly contested and well-played match. Walsh eventually won the game by a score of 2-1. The team rebounded well from the tough loss and defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 3-0. The invitational ended with a 1-1 tie against a physical Big Walnut squad. It appeared that the team would secure its fourth win in six games; however, Big Walnut scored in the last seconds of the game to secure the tie.

All the players gave a tremendous effort under extremely difficult and exhausting weather conditions. Their swarming defense kept us in every game. The team is very young, but showed great potential and heart. The four coaches selected the following players for special recognition:

The Player of the Tournament – Mark Caldwell
Offensive Player – Prosper Rumano
Co-Defensive Players – Brian Foust, Ryan James
Co-Unsung Hero (Hustle and Work Rate) – Andrew Bello, Brent Cornell