Fall 2017 Preview: Greenwood Soccer

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By Matt Turer – mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer

The best season in over a decade for Greenwood ended with a third-place finish in Class 1. It was the program’s first state appearance since 2005 and was backed by the trio of Ty Dupree (all-state), Julius Walker (all-state) and Don Han (all-state). But Dupree and Walker are gone as a part of a seven-player senior class that also included starters Garett Nau, Junwon Park, Shaun Kim and Noah Shuler, meaning there are holes to fill.

Luckily, Greenwood has some returning midfield prospects (Garrett Litherland, Joseph Rollinson) that played a lot at state and could team with Han this fall. They also bring back Aidan McQueary (GK), all-stater Joseph Brock (D) and sweeper extraordinaire Jared Henry (all-state).

“We expect to be competitive in our district,” Greenwood head coach Chris Shull said. “The teams in our district are very close in terms of level and ability to win a district title. Nothing is a given and we’ll play like a team wanting to prove something.”

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Greenwood won last year’s district tournament 3-2 over College Heights Christian. Class 1 District 6 also includes a consistently good C1 program in Laquey, as well as New Covenant Academy (which is on the rise) and Thomas Jefferson Independent. The Blue Jays went on to tie Sacred Heart, 2-2, in the Class 1 third-place game at state.

“This is a different year with a different team,” Shull said of the upcoming 2017 season. “We will be reinventing ourselves and finding out what we do well and what areas we need to improve on. We have some new faces this year and will need some games to gel.”

There will be some role changes as well, with one being Brock.

“Joseph played defense last year but his role will expand this year and he will be moving up at times,” Shull said of Brock. “He’s mentally and physically tough and will be a leader for us this season.”

Shull also said Aki Coller (D) will play a big role.

“Aki is one of the hardest working players on our squad. Although he may seem to be introvert, he is nothing of the sort on the field. He’s our workhorse and a valuable asset to our squad.”

Greenwood finished 16-6-1 in 2016.

The Blue Jays have posted double-digit wins every season this decade except one (2014).

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