The FPCA Highlanders competed last weekend in Macon against other varsity and junior varsity teams from Georgia and neighboring states. FPCA head coach Tom Sukaratana said he has developed two teams he thinks could control their region for years.
The JV Highlanders competed in the C Team Challenge tournament hosted by First Presbyterian Day School. Winning their first two games 8-0 and 6-1, the Highlanders were led by 9th-grader Steven Robinson, who scored five goals in the tournament. Robinson scored twice in the first game, as did 8th-grader Dylan McGarry. In addition, 8th-graders Will Dickens, Christopher Martin, Tyler Buckley and Stanford Graham each scored a goal.In the second game, Robinson grabbed a hat trick, and 8th-graders Clark Sukaratana, Tyler Causer and Zachary Vasquez each scored a goal. Eighth-grader Stanford Graham assisted in seven of the 15 goals scored in the tournament. His seventh assist, to Causer, came during the finals. Also assisting were Vasquez (2), Sukaratana (2) Causer (1) and Martin (1).
The Highlanders lost 3-1 in the finals to Alabama’s Trinity Academy. Robinson, Causer and Sukaratana were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Highlander Varsity team also put in time at the Macon tournament. After losing 8-0 earlier in the season to First Presbyterian Day School, FPCA’s varsity squad regrouped and tied FPDA 1-1. Junior Kristian Eby scored for the Highlanders.
In Valdosta on Monday, the FPCA varsity played its final region game against Georgia Christian. At half time they were up 3-0. On a corner kick, junior Martin Causer sent the ball to his brother Tyler Causer, who scored with a headshot. Martin followed with a goal of his own, assisted by Clark Sukaratana.
Senior Dario Brown scored on a penalty kick. Coming back from half time, the game was called because of weather. With the 3-0 victory, the Highlanders won their region and made the state playoffs.
On Oct. 17, FPCA will host the first round of the playoffs. The Highlanders will face the fourth-place team from the western region at 3 p.m. at James Brown Park in Hinesville.