Bradwell Institute’s soccer team is poised to go to the state playoffs for the first time since 2002. Even bigger news is the Tigers are still in the hunt for the Region 3-AAAAA crown.
Not a bad feat with a team comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores.
Coach Greg Cooke attributes the team’s success to their attitude, effort and heart.
“We worked on unity as a team, not just skills but team-building activities,” he said. “We have a very strong team. Maybe we don’t have the most skilled players but our people give their best effort and play as a team.”
In addition to having one of the best soccer seasons in school history, Cooke is proud that the students don’t bicker or fight among themselves. He said they are doing all the right things to have a successful season.
“These boys deserve to go to the playoffs and that’s what we’re fighting for,” he said. “I am very proud of them.”
Coming into the 2007 season, the Tigers were not taken seriously by opponents in the region. Now, teams are starting to notice that the boys from Hinesville can play.
“We graduated a lot of seniors last year and the region looked at us as a rebuilding team and I wasn’t happy with that,” Cooke said. “I told the guys that, and they worked hard in the off season and in the season they work a little extra. We are not a rebuilding team but a team that is competitive and is competing for the No.1 spot in the region.
The Tigers are 8-1 and have five games remaining — all against stiff competition in Camden County, Johnson, Windsor Forest and Jenkins.
Bradwell’s next game is Friday when they host Windsor Forest at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, freshman Chris “Prince” Schuster had a hat trick to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 win against Savannah Arts Academy (3-7).
Schuster has scored 17 goals this season.
“It’s just great. We are having a great season,” he said. “I’m happy we are winning and it’s a team effort. Everybody is playing great. As long as we win, I am happy.”
Not a bad feat with a team comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores.
Coach Greg Cooke attributes the team’s success to their attitude, effort and heart.
“We worked on unity as a team, not just skills but team-building activities,” he said. “We have a very strong team. Maybe we don’t have the most skilled players but our people give their best effort and play as a team.”
In addition to having one of the best soccer seasons in school history, Cooke is proud that the students don’t bicker or fight among themselves. He said they are doing all the right things to have a successful season.
“These boys deserve to go to the playoffs and that’s what we’re fighting for,” he said. “I am very proud of them.”
Coming into the 2007 season, the Tigers were not taken seriously by opponents in the region. Now, teams are starting to notice that the boys from Hinesville can play.
“We graduated a lot of seniors last year and the region looked at us as a rebuilding team and I wasn’t happy with that,” Cooke said. “I told the guys that, and they worked hard in the off season and in the season they work a little extra. We are not a rebuilding team but a team that is competitive and is competing for the No.1 spot in the region.
The Tigers are 8-1 and have five games remaining — all against stiff competition in Camden County, Johnson, Windsor Forest and Jenkins.
Bradwell’s next game is Friday when they host Windsor Forest at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, freshman Chris “Prince” Schuster had a hat trick to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 win against Savannah Arts Academy (3-7).
Schuster has scored 17 goals this season.
“It’s just great. We are having a great season,” he said. “I’m happy we are winning and it’s a team effort. Everybody is playing great. As long as we win, I am happy.”