APA has best regular season in boys' soccer history
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Arendell Parrott is hoping the greatest boys' soccer regular season in school history will equate to playoff success.
The Patriots not only enjoyed their first winning season since 2014, but also won a school-high 16 games. APA reached its highest seed in the playoffs in school history as the No. 3 Patriots host Cary Christian in the NCISAA 3A quarterfinals Friday at 5 p.m. APA won both games against the Knights 3-2, including the season finale Oct. 12, in order to secure its first conference title in seven years.
First-year coach Henry Piner said the team has always possessed the talent, and it has come to fruition this season.
"We like to have high expectations and that was the case this year," Piner said. "We're blessed to have great talent and senior leadership, and this is the culmination of hard work over the past six years. That's what's brought is here and hopefully we can end the season with a few more wins.
"It's going to take a lot of faith and hard work. Coach (Shivar) Person and I have been preaching that over the past few years and that's what it's going to require."
The Patriots have six seniors on the team, including goalkeeper Taylor Llewellyn, who said the team's mindstate has played a big factor in team success.
"In years past, we haven't looked as good but there has been a lot of belief this season," Llewellyn said. "We've had the potential and it really started to click from the first game of the season when we beat High Point Christian (2-1 on Aug. 13). I think that's really what set the spark.
"I feel like we have four or five of the best players in private school, but it's really our 'dog' mentality and chip on our shoulder that separates us from some of the other schools."
One of those talented players is sophomore Asher Lowry, who has 42 of the team's 70 goals on the season, shattering the previous school mark of 26 by Zacchaeus Rasberry in 2014.
"I think a lot of it really has to do with team chemistry," Lowry said. "I feel like everyone's come together and it's helped us push forward to score more as a team."
Senior defenseman Hayden Blizzard is a four-year starter and shared similar sentiments about the team's chemistry being strong.
"It's made the biggest difference because we've been able to come together as a team," Blizzard said. "I've won as many games this year than the past three combined."
The winner of Friday's contest will play the winner of Calvary Day School and Concord Academy in the state semifinals Tuesday.
.
Arendell Parrott is hoping the greatest boys' soccer regular season in school history will equate to playoff success.
The Patriots not only enjoyed their first winning season since 2014, but also won a school-high 16 games. APA reached its highest seed in the playoffs in school history as the No. 3 Patriots host Cary Christian in the NCISAA 3A quarterfinals Friday at 5 p.m. APA won both games against the Knights 3-2, including the season finale Oct. 12, in order to secure its first conference title in seven years.
First-year coach Henry Piner said the team has always possessed the talent, and it has come to fruition this season.
"We like to have high expectations and that was the case this year," Piner said. "We're blessed to have great talent and senior leadership, and this is the culmination of hard work over the past six years. That's what's brought is here and hopefully we can end the season with a few more wins.
"It's going to take a lot of faith and hard work. Coach (Shivar) Person and I have been preaching that over the past few years and that's what it's going to require."
The Patriots have six seniors on the team, including goalkeeper Taylor Llewellyn, who said the team's mindstate has played a big factor in team success.
"In years past, we haven't looked as good but there has been a lot of belief this season," Llewellyn said. "We've had the potential and it really started to click from the first game of the season when we beat High Point Christian (2-1 on Aug. 13). I think that's really what set the spark.
"I feel like we have four or five of the best players in private school, but it's really our 'dog' mentality and chip on our shoulder that separates us from some of the other schools."
One of those talented players is sophomore Asher Lowry, who has 42 of the team's 70 goals on the season, shattering the previous school mark of 26 by Zacchaeus Rasberry in 2014.
"I think a lot of it really has to do with team chemistry," Lowry said. "I feel like everyone's come together and it's helped us push forward to score more as a team."
Senior defenseman Hayden Blizzard is a four-year starter and shared similar sentiments about the team's chemistry being strong.
"It's made the biggest difference because we've been able to come together as a team," Blizzard said. "I've won as many games this year than the past three combined."
The winner of Friday's contest will play the winner of Calvary Day School and Concord Academy in the state semifinals Tuesday.
