It’s a year that the kids need': Fayetteville Academy boys’ soccer team set to start 2020 season
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
When the coronavirus pandemic started sweeping across the nation in mid-March, Curran Haworth wasn’t sure if he’d step on a soccer field this fall as a sophomore at Fayetteville Academy.
Haworth, who was an eighth-grader when the Eagles won the 2018 NCISAA 2-A state title against Gaston Day, described 2020 as a “nonstop rollercoaster.”
Six months later, Haworth and the Eagles are preparing to open the season on Thursday at Wayne Country Day School in Goldsboro.
“I don’t even have words to describe it. I’ve been really, really excited,” Haworth said.
“In the past, when I was younger, sometimes I’d be like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to go to practice today.’ Just being able to have the opportunity now makes me enjoy it more. I really am starting to love the sport a lot more now.”
The N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association cleared its member schools to begin competition in moderate-risk sports this week. Those sports include boys’ soccer and volleyball.
It’s been an offseason unlike any other for Andrew McCarthy, who took over the Fayetteville Academy boys’ soccer program in 2001.
“It’s a year that the kids need,” said McCarthy, who led the Eagles to back-to-back titles in 2017-18.
“It’s a year where, no matter what happens, the fact they’re getting to play and have some competition and have some fun, that’s going to mean a lot to them.”
Emphasizing the “fun and enjoyment” of the game, McCarthy said his team has been hard at work since mid-June. That’s when the NCISAA started allowing schools to conduct workouts with strict COVID-19 protocols in place.
“Obviously, it’s been an interesting summer,” he added.
As a third-year player for the Eagles, Haworth is expected to be among the team’s top players this season.
“I think, as a team, we’re developing and working hard together,” he said. “As long as we stay committed, I think we can have a successful season. I’m really looking forward to it.”
After “gradually building up” to the point where the NCISAA opened the door for competition, Fayetteville Academy’s schedule started to shape into form.
“It’s a shorter schedule,” McCarthy said.
“We play a full conference schedule, then we have maybe five or six games outside of the conference. We’ll probably end up having about 12 games and, hopefully, if we get into the playoffs, we’ll have a few more.”
The Eagles’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 21 against Greenfield School.
Despite the unknowns, and the possibility of the pandemic changing things at any moment, McCarthy is grateful prep soccer players will get an opportunity to start the 2020 season.
“The kids are really excited about playing; you can just see it in their faces,” he said. “I knew it would affect the kids a lot with what’s going on, but until you start seeing them and working with them, I think the kids really need it.
"I think they missed it for so long and they’re so excited to start playing again. I think it’s given them a boost. I feel really bad for the high school teams that aren’t able to do it. Hopefully those guys will be able to play sooner rather than later."
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
When the coronavirus pandemic started sweeping across the nation in mid-March, Curran Haworth wasn’t sure if he’d step on a soccer field this fall as a sophomore at Fayetteville Academy.
Haworth, who was an eighth-grader when the Eagles won the 2018 NCISAA 2-A state title against Gaston Day, described 2020 as a “nonstop rollercoaster.”
Six months later, Haworth and the Eagles are preparing to open the season on Thursday at Wayne Country Day School in Goldsboro.
“I don’t even have words to describe it. I’ve been really, really excited,” Haworth said.
“In the past, when I was younger, sometimes I’d be like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to go to practice today.’ Just being able to have the opportunity now makes me enjoy it more. I really am starting to love the sport a lot more now.”
The N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association cleared its member schools to begin competition in moderate-risk sports this week. Those sports include boys’ soccer and volleyball.
It’s been an offseason unlike any other for Andrew McCarthy, who took over the Fayetteville Academy boys’ soccer program in 2001.
“It’s a year that the kids need,” said McCarthy, who led the Eagles to back-to-back titles in 2017-18.
“It’s a year where, no matter what happens, the fact they’re getting to play and have some competition and have some fun, that’s going to mean a lot to them.”
Emphasizing the “fun and enjoyment” of the game, McCarthy said his team has been hard at work since mid-June. That’s when the NCISAA started allowing schools to conduct workouts with strict COVID-19 protocols in place.
“Obviously, it’s been an interesting summer,” he added.
As a third-year player for the Eagles, Haworth is expected to be among the team’s top players this season.
“I think, as a team, we’re developing and working hard together,” he said. “As long as we stay committed, I think we can have a successful season. I’m really looking forward to it.”
After “gradually building up” to the point where the NCISAA opened the door for competition, Fayetteville Academy’s schedule started to shape into form.
“It’s a shorter schedule,” McCarthy said.
“We play a full conference schedule, then we have maybe five or six games outside of the conference. We’ll probably end up having about 12 games and, hopefully, if we get into the playoffs, we’ll have a few more.”
The Eagles’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 21 against Greenfield School.
Despite the unknowns, and the possibility of the pandemic changing things at any moment, McCarthy is grateful prep soccer players will get an opportunity to start the 2020 season.
“The kids are really excited about playing; you can just see it in their faces,” he said. “I knew it would affect the kids a lot with what’s going on, but until you start seeing them and working with them, I think the kids really need it.
"I think they missed it for so long and they’re so excited to start playing again. I think it’s given them a boost. I feel really bad for the high school teams that aren’t able to do it. Hopefully those guys will be able to play sooner rather than later."
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
