SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga High School Boys Soccer team will compete in the Final Four tournament for class 4A-5A in Huntsville, Ala. The Aggies are set to face Randolph in the semifinals Thursday. In the event of a win, will play for the 4A-5A championship on Friday, May 12.
“We were in this tournament two years ago, and this year we are looking to build off that experience for more success,” said head coach Matt Zedaker.
Being just the second time a Sylacauga soccer team has advanced to the Final Four, the 2017 team has followed its pursuit of success. The team has taken one step at a time towards a successful season, starting with a strong first month of the season, then proceeding to win the Talladega County championship, taking a region title for the fourth consecutive year, and finally competing in each playoff round one game at a time.
The 2017 team has also had quite an impressive showing by the numbers. Zedaker said the 2017 season has been one for the record books, with more goals scored than any other season and a defense on the verge of being the program’s best, too.
Zedaker attributes 2017’s success to team chemistry. “It’s like a band of brothers in the locker room. We have a great group of seniors, all the teammates get along, most have been playing together all their lives, and the maturity level [makes this team so successful].”
SylacaugaNews.com also spoke with one senior, Cade Bryant, who will become the first ever fifth year letterman in Sylacauga Soccer history. Bryant echoes Zedaker on the method of the 2017 team’s success, saying “everybody working together, knowing we have a certain goal to make, [has led us to success].” All teammates even made an objective to play in thirty games, knowing that would lead the team to a state championship.
The 2017 season will be Zedaker’s last at Sylacauga, moving to Lincoln to become the head football coach next fall. Zedaker said the ending of his last season has been a dream come true. Zedaker also extended a thank you to Sylacauga Soccer’s core group of fans, supporters, and parents from this year and all previous seasons.
“I don’t think I could’ve ask for a better stage. This is the last go around for my soccer career, and it’s been quite a way to go out. Hopefully we’ll have a big group of supporters at the game and everyone can stay to do it all again on Friday [in the championship].”
Jack Wilbanks for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
