Athens Recreation boys claim 3rd ARPA state title
Published 11:22 am Monday, December 7, 2015
- The Athens All-Stars 10-11 boys won the state championship in the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association soccer tournament held Nov. 21-22 in Dothan. Back row, from left, goalkeeper Van Hamlin, Adan Gonzalez, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Jonathan Soto, Bryan Soto and Fernando Leon; middle row, Tyler Marlow, Jesus Roman, Franklin Vicente, Rey Leon, Arturo Leon and Manuel Felipe; front, Edmilson Vicente and Jorge Mendoza. Not shown are head coach Manuel Felipe and assistant coach Luis Leon.
For the third time in three years, the Athens Recreation boys brought back a state championship trophy from the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association soccer tournament.
After winning back-to-back trophies in the 8-9 age division in 2013 and 2014, the Athens All-Stars 10-11 boys scored 17 goals in three games en route to another state title at the ARPA tournament held Nov. 21-22 at Westgate Park in Dothan.
Athens defeated Dothan Blue, 5-1, and Prattville, 7-0, winning the finals against Dothan Red, 5-1. In the championship game, Fernando Leon scored twice and Edmilson Vicente, Brian Soto and Jorge Mendoza finished with a goal apiece. Athens goalkeeper Van Hamlin of Elkmont notched one shutout and allowed only two goals.
The team, chosen from 44 players who played in the Athens Recreation league, used a 4-4-2 alignment and an offensive philosophy patterned after the Spanish national team’s tiki-taki style, which emphasizes short, quick passes and possessing the ball.
The Athens boys joined the Athens All-Stars 10-11 girls in sweeping the state tournament this year. In addition to winning a pair of championship trophies, Athens Recreation was the recipient of another state accolade. The Athens 10-11 girls also won the ARPA sportsmanship trophy.
“Our teams played great at the state tournament and represented the city of Athens well,” said Corey Jennings, who supervises the city’s youth soccer program for ages 4-13.
The postseason success comes on the heels of a regular season in which Athens Recreation enjoyed a record number of participants, Jennings said.
“We had 393 children participate in fall soccer, which is our competitive season. We had 290 this year in our spring soccer league, which we use as our instructional season,” Jennings said.
Fall registration fee is $30, which includes socks, shorts and a jersey. The spring registration fee is $20 and includes a jersey. Registration for the upcoming spring season is Jan. 20-Feb. 20 at the Athens Recreation Center, which is adjacent to Athens Stadium on U.S. 31 North.
