The 2020 soccer season was a tough one in many ways for the Christian County Colonels. Like everyone else, they had to deal with the lead-up to the season of whether or not there would even be a season. Then, they had to deal with COVID protocols during the course of the season. Those protocols would see them have matches with Henderson County and Madisonville canceled during the season.
The Colonels had their struggles, especially on offense, on the field as well during 2020. During the regular season, Christian County only found the net five times, which resulted in no wins and one tie.
However, the Colonels’ lone win on the season came at the right time, as they upended crosstown rival Hopkinsville 3-2 in the 8th District tournament, which guaranteed them a trip into the 2nd Region tournament.
The turmoil did not stop with the end of the season as former coach Austin Byrum stepped down after two years on the job.
Now, while we continue to deal with the pandemic, the 2021 soccer season is set to get underway, and while there may be stoppages and quarantines during the season, at least things are starting at the normal time. And, for the Colonels a familiar face returns to the sidelines.
Arne Seeger is back at the helm of the Christian County boys’ soccer program, having stepped down following the 2017 season. Seeger inherits a roster that is in a bit of a state of transition headed into the 2021 season.
The Colonels lost only one senior following the 2020 season. Thomas Barrett graduated after having scored two of the Colonels’ eight goals. However, at least four players who played for Christian County last season, are not on the roster as the 2021 season gets underway.
Christian County will be a young team this year. The Colonels return only three seniors and two juniors with significant game experience. Seniors Chance Alexander, Jacob Deason, and Jaiden Northington all played in 13 matches last season. Junior Josh Settle saw action in thirteen matches, while fellow juniors Eric Barrett and Ashton Smith took to the pitch 11 times for the Colonels.
Smith led the Colonels with three goals on the season, while Northington scored two more. Both will need to significantly elevate their roles during the 2021 season.
With a young team, leadership will be a key. Coach Seeger says he is expecting his seniors to step up and show the way for the younger players. He specifically pointed to Northington, Gavrie Watkins, and junior Ashton Smith as players he needs to assume mantles of leadership.
With a very young and inexperienced team, Seeger will need some of the younger players to make an impact right away. Two to keep your eyes on are freshmen Alex Hale and Christian Lopez. Both are expected to start and will need to help provide offensive firepower to help take some of the pressure off the defenders and goalie Josh Settle, who faced long stretches of constant attack during the 2020 season. In the net, Settle pulled down 111 saves for Christian County. He gave up only 2.9 goals per contest.
The Colonel defense was solid last year, it just faced so much pressure from a lack of offensive firepower on the other end of the field, that ultimately the defense would wear down.
If Christian County can find a way to consistently get the offense performing at a higher level, the Colonels could be one of those “surprise” teams in the area and cause some problems in the 8th District.
The Colonels are set to open the season Monday night when they host Franklin-Simpson at the Stadium of Champions.
Coach Arne Seeger looked ahead to the season in an interview with YourSportsEdge.Com.
