CHS wins storm-shortened rivalry match

An own goal off a set piece proved to be the only goal in the crosstown rivalry match between Mattoon and Charleston Monday night. The game was called off due to lightning three minutes into the second half, giving CHS the win.

“We played well, better than we have the last few games.” Said Coach Paul Stranz.

After a sloppy opening to the game, the Trojans struck after Gunnar Brimner was tackled from behind about 25 yards away from the net, near the right sideline. His curved free kick was intended for Quinn Hussey before being directed into the net by one of the Green Wave defenders. The goal was credited to Hussey, his third of the season. All of his goals have come on set pieces.

“(Hussey) has tremendous leaping ability,” said Stranz. “We needed that today.”

It was especially important, as leading scorer Jason Coon was taken off the field after just seven minutes, and iced his ankle for the rest of the game. This forced several lineup changes, which led to players playing in different positions than they had earlier in the season.

“We had to juggle some things around a bit after Coon had to come out,” said Stranz. “We had to make some adjustments to the lineup, move some guys around.”

These lineup changes led to defensive mixups early on. One particular mixup led to Mattoon having a clear shot on goal from 15 yards out, but keeper Aaron Smith made an impressive, diving reaction save to keep the Green Wave scoreless.

“I thought that was the best game we played all year,” said Mattoon coach Ryan Ghere. “If we played like that every game we’ve had we’d be better than one and four.”

“I thought we controlled the ball well, and we had some chances. We just couldn’t finish.”

Stranz knows they have some fine-tuning to do before their game against Urbana on Thursday.  ”Our movement needs work, especially defensively. We need to control the ball better.”

The Varsity will start at 4:15, with the J.V. to follow. The Junior Varsity won over Mattoon 3-1, and their scoring included goals by Thorin Blitz and Eric McCausland. They were tied at halftime.

CHS looking for deep playoff run in ‘08

With just two seniors and fifteen juniors, no one would blame the fans of CHS soccer for thinking ahead to next year. Just don’t tell that to Coach Paul Stranz.

“Our players have been playing together for a number of years,” says Stranz, “they work well together.”

“I’m not worried about our age. The senior class has always been low on numbers, so the juniors have got a lot of playing the past few years. Although they’re young, they have plenty of experience.”  The boys return nine letter winners to a team that is expecting a substantial playoff run in ’08.

“We want to go deep in the playoffs,” says junior captain Jason Coon. “We want to not lose as many games, and hopefully make a run at state.” In order to do that, they know they will have to play more consistent.

After starting the season with two straight wins under the new lights, the Trojans finished the rest of the Red-Gold tournament winless. Still, the coach and players like starting off with a tournament.

“(Starting with a tournament) helps, because it takes a few games to see how they’re going to gel together and where they’re going to play at,” says Stranz. “It allows me to try different players at different positions, so I think it’s a great idea as it allows us a good opportunity to see the boys play.”

Coon agrees. “I like having a tournament to start the season”, he says. “It’s a nice little warm-up.”

They will need that warm-up with a tough schedule that includes the annual rivalry matchup against Mattoon, and Big 12 powers Urbana and Centennial, both recent visitors to the IHSA State Finals in Naperville.

“They’re very well coached,” says Urbana coach Randy Blackman. “They always have good players and are fundamentally sound.” He later added that the matchup with Charleston is one he knows his team can not take lightly.

Mattoon coach Ryan Ghere agrees. “There is always a little added intensity when we play (CHS), and they have a solid team. They’re tough to beat.”

For Coach Stranz and his team, they hope they are even tougher to beat in the playoffs come November.

CHS, Mattoon rivalry game postponed

The Charleston boys soccer match against Mattoon originally scheduled for yesterday, has been postponed until Monday, September 8, due to rain.  The junior varsity will begin at 5:00, with the varsity to follow under the lights at CHS field.

CHS junior varsity mix of youth, experience

CHS soccer’s junior varsity roster is a mix of upperclassmen and newcomers. Coach Dave Dunlap’s squad includes eight juniors, four sophomores, and 11 freshman.

2 Augie Mason Jr MF
3 Cass Gardner Fr F / MF
6 Michael Van Popering So GK / D
17 Liridon Zendeli Jr MF
18 Brock Baker Jr MF / D
23 Blake Akers Jr D / MF
# 24 Ryan Dau So D / MF
25 Trevyn Wambach Fr D
26 John Coulton Fr GK / F
31 Joseph Coulton Fr MF / F
32 Dustin Mason So D
33 Thorin Blitz Fr MF / F
35 Kashyap Padmaraju Jr MF
36 Simon Walker Jr D / MF
37 Eric McCausland Fr MF / F
38 Cory Simpson Jr D
# 39 Alex Smith So MF / F
# 40 Alex Finley So MF
41 Ted Steiskal So D
42 Aaron Laursen Jr D
43 Kyle Daubs So D / MF
44 Tyler Gray Fr MF
46 Tony Zendeli Fr D
47 Dalton Runyon Fr D / MF
48 Ben Hoover Fr GK / D
52 Chris Baumann Fr MF
# Indicates JV Captains

CHS soccer schedule tough in ‘08

The 2008 soccer schedule has a mix of tough conference and non-conference games for the Trojans. Included on the schedule are recent visitors to the 2A state tournament in Naperville, Champaign Centennial and Urbana, both from the Big 12 Conference. CHS will also play the majority of their conference games at home, as well as once again playing regional host.

• CHARLESTON HIGH SCHOOL 2008 BOYS’ SOCCER SCHEDULE
• Monday Aug. 25 St. Teresa (JV-1st) 5:30 p.m. Home
• Wednesday Aug. 27 Red & Gold Olney @ CHS Field (JV-1st) 5:30 p.m. Home
• Friday Aug. 29 Red & Gold (Sister City) TBA Home
• Saturday Aug. 30 Red & Gold (Sister City) TBA Home
• Tuesday Sept. 2 Monticello (JV-1st) 4:30 p.m. Home
• Thursday Sept. 4 Mattoon (JV-1st) 5:00 p.m. Home
• Saturday Sept. 6 MacArthur H.S. (JV-2nd) 11:00 a.m. Away
• Thursday Sept. 11 Urbana H.S. (JV-2nd) 4:15 p.m. Away
• Saturday Sept. 13 Mahomet-Seymour (JV-2nd) 11:00 a.m. Home
• Monday Sept. 15 St. Anthony (JV-2nd) 4:30 p.m. Away
• **Thursday Sept. 18 Effingham H.S. & JV-1st 4:30 p.m. Home
• Saturday Sept. 20 Olney (East Richland) (JV-2nd) 11:00 a.m. Home
• **Tuesday Sept. 23 Teutopolis H.S. (JV-2nd) 5:00 p.m. Home
• Thursday Sept. 25 Mt. Zion H.S. (JV-2nd) 5:00 p.m. Home
• Saturday Sept. 27 Danville H.S. (JV-2nd) 11:00 a.m. Home (Senior Day)
• Monday Sept. 29 Sullivan High School (JV 2nd) 4:30 p.m. Away
• Wednesday Oct. 1 Champaign Central (JV-2nd) 4:15 p.m. Away
• Friday Oct. 3 Peoria Mid-State Classic TBA Away
• Saturday Oct. 4 Peoria Mid-State Classic TBA Away
• Wednesday Oct. 8 Centennial (JV-1st) 4:30 p.m. Away
• IHSA POST SEASON PLAY: (please note that Charleston will host a Regional)
  Fri./Sat. Oct. 17 & 18 Class AA – Regional Quarterfinals
  Tues/Wed Oct. 20 & 21 Regional Semifinals
  Fri./Sat. Oct. 24 & 25 Regional Finals
  Tues./Wed. Oct. 28 & 29 Sectional Semifinals
  Fri./Sat. Oct. 31 / Nov 1 16 Sectional Finals
  Tuesday Nov. 4 8 Super-sectionals
  Fri./ Sat. Nov. 7 & 8 State Finals

Stay tuned for full sports coverage

This fall, you will be able to keep up with all Charleston HS sports through the season. You will be able to get last-minute scores, notes, features, and game stories for each of the school’s varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen sports. Check back after August 29.