When a team finishes in the exact same spot for three years in a row, you might think that’s cause for concern.
Unless, of course, that “spot” is the state semifinals. Then, that consistency is a cause for celebration.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)
The Sunlake Seahawks boys’ soccer team didn’t feel like celebrating immediately after last month’s 2-0 loss to Choctawhatchee.
Despite the loss, though, the game capped another stellar season for the Sunlake soccer program. The team finished with a 28-2 record — giving the team its third straight year with no more than two losses in a season. And, for the third year in a row they lost to the eventual state champion.
Choctawhatchee defeated Merritt Island in a rematch of last year’s state championship.
Now that the dust has settled, coach Sam Koleduk can look back on the season and recognize the team’s accomplishments, and the difficulty they overcame just to get back to the state semifinals.
“I lost all four defenders from the previous year, and to only give up 10 goals the entire season was pretty remarkable,” he said. Overall, the team managed another Region 3A-2 title despite losing a total of seven starters from the previous season.
Most programs can’t lose that many starters without missing a beat, but Sunlake isn’t like most programs.
The school’s junior varsity team went 14-1 this past season, and Koleduk said many of those players could have played varsity at other schools.
Sunlake has so much talent it couldn’t fit these players on the varsity team, but they’re ready to step in and fill the roles vacated by this year’s graduating seniors.
One of those seniors is Cobi Shirmohammad, a forward who spent all four high school years on the team. This past season he chipped in 27 goals for the Seahawks, and Koleduk said his talents will be missed on the pitch.
“It’s his speed and tenacity. He’s very aggressive,” the coach said of Shirmohammad. “He’s a real hard worker.”
For his part, the senior is proud of his team.
“I feel like we accomplished a lot, honestly. Even though we didn’t win, we had a great season,” he said. “I left it all on the field. There’s nothing else I could do.”
When he says he left it all on the field, Shirmohammad isn’t kidding. He broke his collarbone in the state semifinal. Now, with 12 screws and a plate keeping it together, he’s around six weeks into a healing process that will take a few months.
Another benefit Sunlake has in soccer is the team’s activity at the club level. Every player participates in club soccer (Shirmohammad plays for the FC Tampa Rangers) and that training helps create a more professional atmosphere. And while many club players don’t bother with high school soccer, Sunlake’s players enjoy being part of the team and accomplishing team goals for the school.
That doesn’t stop when they graduate. Even though Shirmohammad is now considering college options and playing at the next level, he always will be a supporter of Sunlake soccer.
“Those are all my teammates, and I support them to the end,” he said.
Nobody should be surprised if that includes another regional title next season. While each year brings its own challenges, they should have the talent to compete at a high level and replace the graduating seniors with other talented players.
It also doesn’t hurt that their star goalkeeper, Danny Hrenko, will be protecting the goal once again. Hrenko already holds the state record for shutouts with 63, and with another season ahead of him, the national record is a possibility.
But for now, Koleduk is able to get past the semifinal loss and acknowledge another successful year. After the loss he told his team how proud he was, and looks back on what they accomplished with pride.
“In retrospect, it was really a good season for us,” he said.
Published March 18,2015
