The Piedmont men’s soccer team closed out the 2023 season with a disappointing 6-9-3 record. But the adversity the team faced throughout the season is building towards something better.
The team has always had to overcome adversity. Over the past few years, there have been many talented athletes coming in and out of the program, but there has been no hardware to showcase their talents. This year, although still ending with no hardware, the team looked different.
Inside the dressing room, the team has a bond about them that was more like a brotherhood.
“We play for the badge,” senior Brady Puckett said, referring to the Lion logo on their jerseys. “Playing for the badge means we play for the team, the school, the community, and not for ourselves.”
Outside of the locker room, the team has a bond that matches the brotherhood environment inside the locker room. The team enjoys eating at the cafeteria together, taking a break from soccer by playing basketball together, and playing Fortnite together.
“Soccer will teach you how to hold each other accountable more than it will teach you how to kick a ball correctly,” Puckett said. “We have been through the hardest practices together, so it is very hard to not feel a connection off the field.”
The team has had to face accountability in the eyes of others a few times this season. The main issue surrounding the men’s soccer program is some behavior issues that involve the players being a problem in public, specifically at other sporting events.
“We are young and mistakes will be made,” Puckett said. “There is no excuse for inappropriate behavior, of course, but the intentions behind it wasn’t harmful. We have all worked together to help each other grow out of this state of immaturity. All we can do from here is continue to grow both individually, as a group.”
Going 16-28-8 over the past three seasons, the team has inarguably performed below average. It is hard to dispute these thoughts when the team has displays of brilliance — such as an 8-2 and 8-1 victory over Huntington and Toccoa Falls, respectively — then follow it up with disappointing performances — such as a pair of losses against Maryville and Covenant that makes it look like the team is a little lost.
“It is a growing process and I am happy to have seen the start of it,” Puckett said. “I believe it will only continue to get better with this team’s new mindset and style of play.”
One way the Lions have shown extreme growth is through prolific goal scoring this season. A huge reason for this sudden explosive offense is freshman Davis Knight, who ended the season with 11 goals and 4 assists. His impressive record caused him to be the top scorer in the CCS. Knight also led the conference in game winning goals (3), which helped the Lions drastically during close matches.
The freshman was named “CCS Rookie of the Year” and also secured his deserved spot on the “CCS First Team All-Conference.” Yet Knight is the first person to note that it’s his teammates who help him succeed.
“Well I don’t pass the ball to myself,” said Knight. “I have 10 of my teammates behind me on the field at all times who find ways to get me in a goal scoring position. I hope I can keep it up in following seasons.”
Although the Lions ended with a disappointing loss to a tough Maryville team, there is a strong sense of optimism for next season. The program has shown they have all the weapons to compete for a championship, and even the correct mentality to do so.
“Just give the program some time to grow,” Puckett said. “We are a team that nobody looks forward to playing. We are dangerous.”
