2020-21 Season Wrap-Up

Crean Lutheran boys soccer team has a break-through season

‘For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.’ 1 Timothy 4:8-10

During challenging times, the Crean Lutheran High School boys soccer players, coached by Glen Worthington, had a season to be proud of. The boys soccer season, which normally starts in November, was delayed until March due to the pandemic.

“In the difficult circumstances of an unusual school year, our team overcame injuries, dual sport schedule conflicts and exhaustion from several athletes simultaneously playing high school and club to achieve a remarkable second place finish in the Empire League; all the more impressive as we only finished behind the top ranked team in Division 2 CIF and ahead of another Division 2 ranked team,” Worthington said.

The Saints went on to win two CIF playoff matches. “Credit goes to everyone on the varsity roster as everyone played a valuable role in our success,” the coach said. Leading the way for the Saints was team MVP Justin Lee, who had 20 goals (tied for second most goals scored in one season all-time) and five assists. The offensive player of the year was Daniel Chun, who had six goals and 10 assists (tied for third most assists in one-season all-time) and defensive player of the year goalkeeper Nate Kim (five shutouts) who had “countless game-changing saves,” according to Worthington.

“The spirit of Christ Award-winner Kayden Lee’s quiet and consistent leadership as well as coach’s award-winner Connor Grace’s unquestionable effort and drive kept our team focused and intent on our mission of training hard and growing in faith (1 Timothy 4:8),” Worthington said. “This team has set a high bar for future Crean Lutheran boys soccer teams to live up to.”

 

2019-20 Season Wrap-Up

Crean Lutheran boys soccer team makes significant strides

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  1 Timothy 4:8

Crean Lutheran’s boys soccer team made big strides in the second year of Empire League play and achieved many of its goals.
“We were committed to overcoming adversity by playing our best for God, for our school, and for our teammates,” said Coach Glen Worthington.

“The Christian character and value is really important to me and to the team and to the program. It’s always very encouraging to hear them (players) say, ‘it’s a family, I’ve got good friends, I feel supported,’ and I think that is an outgrowth of us investing in Christian values and Christian character. They have that sort of brotherly love for another that is encouraged in scripture.”

On the field, Worthington said there was progress.“We saw significant growth: all teams placed higher than the year before; even in losses all teams were more competitive than the year before; and varsity showed dramatic improvement in goals scored and goals against averages,” he said.

“The varsity team and the JV team really improved in their competitiveness….the trajectory is definitely looking upwards and especially on a team with no seniors, we’re expecting the teams to come back as they are or even better.”

The team did not have any seniors, but still had strong leadership, led by defender and captain Connor Grace and two other captains Kayden Lee and Nico Taylor.
Striker Daniel Chun was the leading scorer with six goals. “Goalie Patrick Broderick had an incredible save percentage for the year, kept us close in almost every game,” Worthington said.

Grace and Broderick earned first team all-league recognition and Joseph Yang was selected second team all-league.