2008-2009 STORIES

Eagles unable to stop Titans in State Playoffs

Rome News-Tribune Staff Reports

download Rome News-Tribune Video of Coosa finishes with 5-1 loss to Blessed Trinity

The momentum of Coosa’s best-ever regular season wasn’t enough to carry the Eagles to a postseason victory on Friday night. The Eagles, who won the area championship this year for the first time in the program’s 21-year history, suffered a 5-1 loss to Blessed Trinity in the opening round of the Class A/AA state playoffs at Coosa. The defeat ends the Eagles’ season with a 7-7-1 record.The match — which represented Coosa’s second playoff game in team history — was played on the football field in order to add some extra spice to the atmosphere, and the Eagles indeed fed off the energy for the first 40 minutes. After falling behind 1-0 in the 13th minute, the Eagles answered in the 14th minute when freshman Emilo Deleon connected for a goal to tie it. Both teams were held scoreless the remainder of the half.But Blessed Trinity retook the lead just three minutes into the second half, and then added three more unanswered goals to pull away.
The contest proved to be the final match for Coosa senior Michael Ray, who became the school’s all-time points leader (combined total of goals and assists) earlier this season.
Ray is one of six seniors on the roster: Carlos Cruz, Lee Studdard, Nic Castrejon, Jose Cardenas and Brett Jarret. The game was played before over 200 fans which was one of the most highly attended contest in CHS soccer history.

CLICK HERE FOR 2009 SOCCER PLAYOFF BRACKET

Eagles Make History

by Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer

After the Coosa Eagles lost to Armuchee last Thursday, Coosa head soccer coach Randy Vice knew that a bit of school history was out of their hands.

On Tuesday, Vice got some good news — Darlington had beat the Indians and secured Coosa a share of the Area 14-A/AA title, the first one ever for the Eagles. “We’re extremely excited,” Vice said. “We had a tremendous amount of fan support but again we had great seniors.” Among them were Michael Ray, who has played every single game since his freshman season, and standout midfielder Jose Cardenas. Coosa will host the first round of the state playoffs next Friday while Darlington, the second seed in the area, will be on the road. Darlington’s girls won the area championship outright on Tuesday with a win over Armuchee. The Model Lady Devils are the No. 2 seed. Both teams will play their first round games next Thursday. Their opponents are yet to be decided. Eagles Await Outcome of Darlington v. Armuchee

Armuchee’s defeat of Coosa last week left Playoff seeding up in the air for the 2009 State Soccer tournament. An Armuchee loss against Darlington on Tuesday will give the Eagles their first Region championship in the program’s history while an Armuchee victory will send the Eagles traveling to Blessed Trinity for their first round game. Regardless of the location, Coosa will be playing on April 24^th as will the other Region playoff bound team.

Eagles Fall to Armuchee 0-1

Armuchee came to play as the Indians downed the homestanding Eagles 1-0. Eduardo Vasquez had 7 saves for the Eagles.

Moraga Kicks Eagles Past Model in a Classic Showdown.

Jeremy Stewart, Rome News-Tribune, Photos by Ken Carthers

For the players in Saturday’s Floyd County clash between Coosa’s and Model’s boys soccer teams, there was no giving up. But after an aggressive battle that stretched into a pair of overtime periods, the host Eagles got a desperation goal from Sixto Moraga and took the 2-1 victory. The win ensures Coosa (7-4-1) of at least a share of the Area 14 AA/A title. The Eagles are undefeated in area play with Saturday’s result improving them to 3-0.

After Model tied up the game at 1-1 with about 14 minutes left in regulation, the first overtime period saw both teams prove unsuccessful in their attempts at getting an advantage. In the second five-minute period, Moraga found himself set up alone in front of Model keeper Dylan Maynard, who deflected Moraga’s original shot to the left of the Eagle. But Moraga stretched out his left leg and placed the ball in the back of the net to score the game-winning goal. “That was one of the best goals I’ve witnessed in a long time,” Coosa head coach Randy Vice said. “He’s just a sophomore and he’s really been outstanding for us.” “It was just a great game,” Model head coach James Schroeder said. “I told our kids that I was proud of their effort.” Maynard had stopped Moraga once before in the contest as he dove to save a shot early in the first overtime period. Moraga also sent a shot wide right a few moments later. “Dylan just made an amazing save in overtime,” Schroeder said. “I can’t ask anything more out of him. “You just never want to lose like that.” Coosa took a 1-0 lead late in the first half as Carlos Cruz created an opportunity that turned into a goal by Octavio Vasquez from an assist by Moraga. But Model (2-9, 1-2) turned the momentum their way in the second half as two close calls at the net were followed by a goal by Adam Crump in the 66th minute. The shot, assisted by Trevor Strickland, came as Coosa keeper Eduardo Vasquez moved to the front of the box to assist with defense. “In the first half, it seemed like nobody was focused,” Schroeder said. “I talked to them at halftime and they came out and played the best that I’ve ever seen them play.” “Model stepped it up and played some great soccer,” Vice said. “Coach Schroeder has done a great job with that team.” Taylor Meeks kept the Blue Devils in the fight by taking control of the ball at key times and getting it down the field and Coosa’s Jose Cardenas was all over the field as he took over three different positions for the Eagles during the contest. Both teams play area foe Armuchee this week. Model travels to play the Indians on Tuesday while Coosa visits them Thursday.

EAGLES MAKE HISTORY, Defeat Darlington 3-2 on PK’s

By David Dawson, Rome News-Tribune Sports Editor, Photos by Bill Miller Photography

Coosa’s Randy Vice is a coaching veteran, and he doesn’t often allow himself to get too caught up in the highs and lows of a season. But there was simply no way Vice could hide his excitement Monday after his team downed Darlington, 3-2, in a 7-AA contest that was decided by penalty kicks.Michael Ray scored one goal and assisted the other to help the host Eagles (6-4-1) forge a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation. Eduardo Vasquez, the Coosa keeper, then connected for the decisive kick during the shootout.“It’s a huge win for us,” said Vice. “And the reason it means so much to our kids and our program is because of the respect we have for Darlington. They always have a terrific team, year in and year out, and that’s what really makes this special. It’s a big day for Coosa soccer.” Coosa, which hosts rival Model today in a make-up contest, was missing three starters Monday. But the Eagles used heroic efforts from a host of players to erase an early 2-1 deficit and gain the win. Ray was the catalyst. He scored on a wild exchange in the first half — he scored off the rebound of an inbounds pass that he had thrown — and then helped tie the match in the second half by feeding Sixto Moraga for a goal that forged a 2-2 deadlock. By doing so, Ray carved out a spot in the Coosa record books. He is now the school’s all-time points leader with 86 (combined total of goals and assists). “I am so proud of Michael,” said Vice. “Today, he just kept making plays.” Vasquez finished with 18 saves for the Eagles, and Jarrod Van Curen and Carlos Cruz helped lead the defense. “I’m extremely proud of our guys,” said Vice. “It was a great match, and they played very, very hard. Both sides did.” Owen Greeson scored Darlington’s first goal early in the first half on an assist from Will Orr. The same pair teamed up again moments later — with Greeson assisting Orr — to help the Tigers build a 2-1 lead. But the Tigers were held scoreless over the final 40 minutes.

“We had our chances and couldn’t score,” said Darlington coach Kevin Ivester. “And once it goes to penalty kicks, anything can happen.”

Eagles Defeat Rockmart 15-0

Rome News-Tribune Staff Reports/CHS Sports

Sixto Moraga had four goals and three assists and Octavio Vasquez had four goals and two assists to help Coosa (5-4-1, 1-0) defeat region foe Rockmart. Steven Walters scored his first career goal in the win, and seven other Coosa players had at least one goal or an assist. They were: Nic Castrejon (goal, assist), Carlos Cruz (goal), Michael Ray (one goal, three assists), Sixto Badillo (goal, assist), Patrick Blakenship (assist), Ricky Moreno (assist), Troy Case (goal), and Jared Van Curen (goal). Coosa keeper Edwardo Vasquez recorded the shutout in goal. Coosa hosts Model on Thursday in a battle of heated cross-town rivals which might very well determine the playoff spot for this region. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support both Coosa teams on Thursday.

Eagles Fall to # 8 Calhoun

By Rome News-Tribune Staff, Photo by Lindy Dugger Cordell, RN-T

The dominating Calhoun boys’ soccer team allowed its first goal of the year on Thursday, but still rolled to its 10th straight win.

The Yellow Jackets topped Coosa 4-1 on the Eagles’ home field. It was a 1-1 tie in the first half, with Sixto Moraga scoring for Coosa (4-4-1). It was the first goal allowed by Calhoun after nine consecutive shutouts.

The Jackets have already broken the school record for shutouts in a single season.

Eduardo Vasquez had 12 saves in goal for Coosa, which plays at Rockmart on Monday. Calhoun (10-0) hosts Gordon Central on Tuesday.

Eagles lose to Dade

From CHS Sports Staff

In spite of a great goal by Sixto Moraga in the first half, and outstanding defensive play for most of the game, Coosa fell to host Dade County 2-1. Eduardo Vasquez had 5 saves in goal.

Eagles Draw 3-3 against Class AAA Pickens

Coosa 3, Pickens County 3

Excerpts from Rome News and Coosa Sports

The Eagles battled hard with the Class AAA squad but had to settle for a tie on their home field.

Coosa (4-2-1) opened the scoring in the 26th minute as Sixto Moraga got a goal off of an assist by Michael Ray.

After Pickens tied it up af few minutes later, Octavio Vasquez made a penalty kick for the Eagles in the 40th minute and gave Coosa a 2-1 lead at the half. However, at the start of the second half, Pickens scored two quick goals and was up 3-2 with 15 minutes left when Ray headed in a corner kick by Moraga and tied it up. Coosa keeper Eduardo Vasquez had five saves and the Eagles took 15 shots on goal. Thursday’s game marked the return of 1992 Coosa player Will Nix as coach of Pickens County. Coosa be at Dade County on Tuesday.

Coosa downs Chattooga 7-1

Rome News-Tribune Staff Reports, Photographs by: Ken Caruthers/Rome News-Tribune

Coosa’s Octavio Vasquez did all he could to make sure the Eagles came away with a win when they hosted Chattooga (1-3-1) on Monday.

Vasquez scored three goals to lead the Eagles (4-2) past the Indians 7-1.

Vasquez’s goals came in the 37th, 42nd and 64th minutes. He scored the first off an assist from Sixto Moraga, the second on a free kick from 37 yards out, and the third off another assist from Moraga. Coosa’s other goals were scored by Michael Ray, Sixto Badillo, off an assist from Carlos Cruz, Jose Cardenas on a penalty kick, which was his first goal of the season, and Nic Castrejon, off a throw-in by Ray. Eduardo Vasquez had five saves for the Eagles. Taylor Avant, a former Coosa player, scored Chattooga’s only goal of the afternoon in the 61st minute.

Coosa hosts Pickens County on Thursday.

Eagles play hard but Fall to Lafayette

The Coosa Soccer field was occupied from 9 am till 5:30 pm Saturday as the Varsity squad followed a day of great JV Soccer.

Coosa showed signs of improvement in the 2-0 loss to visiting Lafayette High School. Coosa took 5 shots on goal while Lafayette took 7 including the two goals.

Eagles Fall to Gordon Central

IIn spite of playing to a scoreless tie in the first half, the home standing Warriors notched 4 unanswered goals in the second half to defeat Coosa 4-0. Coosa took 9 shots on goal including several near misses in the 1^st half.

Eagles Victorious over Pheonix

The Coosa boys’ soccer team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 4-1 win against Sonoraville on the road on Monday.

Sixto Moraga scored two goals for the Eagles and had an assist. One of his goals was assisted by Sixto Biddlo. Emilio DeLeon scored off the Moraga assist, and the Eagles’ final score was by Octavio Vasquez — assisted by Jose Hernandez.

Goalkeeper Eduardo Vasquez had 14 saves. Michael Ray was also key for Coosa in the win. Cody Paterson scored Sonoraville’s only goal on an assist by Fabian Hernandez.

Eagles Defeat Adairsville, 2-1

CHS Sports

Coosa’s Octavio Vasquez sank a penalty kick in the first minute and the stingy Coosa defense held the Tigers of Adairsville scoreless until the 76 minute when they scored their own penalty kick after a Coosa hand ball. Fortunately for the Eagles, freshman Emilio DeLeon was able to sink a beautiful line drive in the 38^th minute off an assist from Sixto Moraga to give the Eagles what would later become the winning goal. Eduardo Vasquez, the Coosa goalkeeper had 9 saves. The Eagle defense held strong during the hard fought victory.

Eagles Down Model in 1-0 Nail biter.

CHS Sports

Coosa’s Octavio Vasquez took a pass from Sixto Moraga in the 25^th minute to take the lead against a scrappy Model team that never quit. Vasquez’s goal was important because it was the only one the Eagles would be able to muster. Defensively, Michael Ray, Nic Castrejon, Jared VanCuren, and Carlos Cruz held the Blue Devils to 6 shots on goal in th 1-0 win. Goalkeeper Eduardo Vasquez recorded the shutout in his first Varsity start in the net. The Eagles were held to 14 shots on goal.

Eagles Hold their own in Rome Exhibition

From Staff Reports

“There is no such thing as a moral victory” at least that’s what Coosa High School coach Randy Vice stated after his squad’s heartbreaking 0-1 loss to AAAA Rome High School in Thursday nights exhibition match hosted by the Wolves. However, “This was pretty darn close” stated the veteran coach. “Rome is an outstanding program with a lot of class and poise, it is great to go in and hang with them for 80 minutes. They beat us 7-0 last season and we felt we had to step up our game to avoid another lopsided loss. We were nervous and disorganized early in the game and gave up the goal on a corner kick in the 6^th minute of play. Otherwise I feel we were competitive for a good part of the game. Rome is the kind of team that if you stop and breathe or get back on your heels, they strike fast and hard which is what they did”. Coosa goalkeeper Eduardo Vasquez had 13 saves in the 18 degree weather while Rome’s two keepers had a combined 6 on the night, a testimony to the Wolves strong midfield play. Coosa opens the season Wednesday night at Lafayette while Rome plays at Armuchee, also on Wednesday. Coach Vice also stated “ The fans for both teams were great and it really contributed to a great soccer atmosphere. Thanks for all the folks that came out in this weather.”

Two Coosa Eagle Soccer Players Spread Wings

By. Lindsey Shirey, Coosa High School Sports Website

Coosa High School continues to send players into the college ranks.

Brandi Reyes and Eric Jefferies signed soccer scholarships with Shorter College and Andrew College respectively. Both were starters with the Eagles last season.

Brandi scored over 60 goals during her stellar career for the Lady Eagles and was part of the Rome News-Tribune All Area team for 3 of her four years. During her time with the Eagles she played for 3 different coaches, Eric Plants, David Chapman, and Erick Hopper. Coach Randy Vice of the boys team also coached the Lady Eagles during a few games of her career.” Brandi is an outstanding person both on and off the field. I look forward to seeing her progress as a player and in the classroom” he added, “It is great to be able to sign a local player of Brandi’s caliber” stated Shorter College Soccer Coach, Josh Severns.

Eric Jefferies played defense last season for the Eagles team under Coach Vice. “Believe it or not, this was Eric’s first season of organized soccer” stated the veteran boys coach.

“ He went from being a rookie to a starter in 5 games, It is a remarkable accomplishment. His work ethic and attitude is one of the best I have ever coached, I wish I could have had him a couple of more seasons”. Coach Michael Husbands, head coach at Andrew College agreed, “Eric is learning everyday, he is getting some minutes in a lot of games and is growing daily” “ If I could take Erics attitude and place it in some of my veteran players, there is no limit in how far we could go”. “He is definitely making the most of this opportunity.”