October 11, 2007
CA vs. Bethesda Christina Academy  1 - 3

The Middle School Gold soccer team suffered a defeat at the hands of a pesky Bethesda Christian team 3-1 in the second round of the tournament.  Down 1-0 at the start of the second half, "speedy" center forward, Joseph Parrish tied the game off a pass from "lefty" left winger, Imraan Paruk on a very well executed assault on the Crusaders defense.  That was the only goal that the Chargers could claim as many of them were literally beat up toward the end of the game.  Coach Darren was yellow carded after a "conversation" with the referee, and Athletic Director, Randy Jordan was sure to support his Chargers at the end of the game with a continued "conversation" with that referee.  Nevertheless, we will finish our season next week on Thursday and follow up a great season with a pizza party that evening.

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October 4, 2007
CA @ Ravenscroft   2 - 7

The MS Gold soccer team was ready for a fight on Thursday against Ravenscroft, but we got to the field with no sub's, and that made it a difficult challenge against a good team.  Our first goal was made by Orlin with great control and beautiful communication with his teammates.  During the second half, we were able to muster one more goal, but unfortunately, Ravenscroft players were very strong, very big and very aggressive and in between our two goals, they scored 7.  All the same, the Gold players played harder than they’ve played all season, in anticipation of this battle.  They made their coaches and all of the moms in attendance very proud.

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October 2, 2007
Ca @ Neuse Baptist Christian School  5 - 1

Today the MS Gold soccer team beat Neuse Baptist Christian School, 5-1.  With Coach Darren gone for this game, the decision was made to let the team captains call most of the shots.  Harrison Atkinson was instrumental on the field, encouraging players to stay in their position or move accordingly.  Kunal Kamerkar was the co-team captain, and made his calls from the offensive position.  The guys talked and switched throughout the game, as they saw fit.  The Chargers have learned from Coach Darren to communicate and get into their position quickly, and with a team like Neuse Baptist, those skills made for an optimal advantage.  We only had 11 players; consequently, no subs.  Orlin hurt his knee and sat out for a bit but knew that his team depended on him and was right back in within minutes.

Two minutes into the game, Joseph Parrish scored our first goal, assisted by Imraan Paruk.  Shortly thereafter, Imraan scored our second goal, weaving his way through a very weak defense.  Our third goal was made by Kunal with an assist by Imraan.  These players were aggressive and pushed right past the defense.  Our fourth goal was made again by Imraan with an assist by Joseph.  We had an unfortunate hand ball in the critical zone, resulting in a direct kick.  The ball sailed right over our goalie’s head.  Joseph Parrish scored our final goal by pressuring the goalie, regaining control of the ball and sending it in!  With such a strong advantage towards the end of the game, several switches were made that aren’t made on a regular basis, but we were safe in letting our guard down and enjoying the thrill of playing new positions.

 It was an awesome game and I’m very proud of these incredible players.  We’re off to Ravenscroft on Thursday.

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September 27, 2007
CA @ Cary Christian 1 - 0  

The middle school gold team played their best game of the season tonight working together as a team and proving that hard work really does pay off.  At halftime, we discussed one motivating factor that actually promotes that bribery works: I told them if we won the game, they get candy bars and soda on Coach!  Within the first few minutes of the second half, one goal from Imraan Paruk's powerful left foot, assisted by our quick Center Forward, Joseph Parrish was enough to beat a physical Cary Christian team at their field.  Stellar defense, AGAIN, was our strength.  Gerry Cuomo stayed in goal the entire game and Aaron Rushin used his fitness and speed all over the field.  It was a nice and well-deserved win for the Chargers!

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September 25, 2007
CA @ Bethesda Christian 2 - 4 

The Gold team went into tonight's game against Bethesda Christian focusing on our win earlier in the year 6-0, but the Crusaders were on a mission to avenge that loss.  With an extremely lethargic and lackluster effort level, the Chargers were beaten 4-2 by an inferior team.  Eric McDonald's two goals were not enough.  They were assisted by Zac Wilson and Kunal Kamerkar.  The Chargers are aware that Wednesday's practice will be different than any other as we will focus on aggression and intensity, the two primary components that forgot to get on the Charger's bus tonight.

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September 19, 2007
CA vs. Trinity Academy of Raleigh  0 - 1 

The Gold team had an opportunity to avenge a loss in their first game this year against Trinity Academy, but were unsuccessful, falling 1-0.  A very hard fought battle ensued throughout a scoreless first half until a Trinity shot made it to the back of our net midway through the second half.  The optimistic perspective is that we have improved, since we lost our first game 3-0 to the same team.  We worked hard with only one sub against a squad of twenty-two players who frequently used subs to keep their starters fresh.  I can speak for the Chargers and say that we REALLY wanted this one!  We will practice hard and be ready to take on two away games next week.  Our objective is to win both games soundly!

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September 18, 2007
CA vs. Duke School 0 - 4 

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September 17, 2007
CA vs. Sally B. Howard Charter School 1 - 0  

When the Chargers took the field with only one sub against a very organized and disciplined team of seventeen from Sally B. Howard Charter School in Wilson, NC, we were very concerned.  In the first half, Imraan Parnuk shot it past their Goalie off a nice feed from Ian Brooks, who injured his foot after the defender crashed into him following his pass.  An absolutely phenominal half with save after save by our Goalkeeper, Gerry Cuomo got us to halftime with a marginal lead 1-0.  Aaron Rushin grabbed his goalkeeping gloves for the second half, and his defense and midfield grabbed control of the game preventing any goals, and preserving the best win of the year for this Gold group.  If a game ball were to be given out, it would have to be divided into twelve parts because everyone contributed as a team!

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September 12, 2007
CA hosts Triangle Day School   0 - 3

A superior Triangle Day School squad humbled the Chargers with a 3-0 shut-out.  After a three game winning streak, we were shown that we have a lot of work to do before our three games next week.  The tornados looked like tornados controlling the game and giving us more than we could handle, even with another strong defensive effort by Cary Academy.

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September 11, 2007
CA hosts Cary Christian School  4 - 2

The Gold middle school team raised its record to 3 and 1 with the best win of the season against a good Cary Christian School team!  Once again, defense was our strength, and our two goalies, Gerry Cuomo and Aaron Rushin split their time in goal, each playing a half, and each only giving up one goal.  Harrison "Tree" Atkinson had the defensive play of the game, and his defensive teammates, Averett Mehrbakhsh, Arjun Rao, and Sahil Daval helped keep the Knights out of our box.  Team Captains for the game, Joseph Parrish and Orlin Velev played terrific games as they utilized several "give-and-goes" with Victor Walker, Kunal Kamerkar, and Nathan Niles.  As often as Coach tried to move Ian Brooks to a different position, he could not keep Ian from scoring goals until he benched him in the second half - AFTER he scored all four Charger goals!  Two of the goals were unassisted, and the other two were assisted by Orlin Velev and Imraan Parnuk.  It was a very good win!

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September 7, 2007
CA vs. Neuse Baptist Christian School  9 - 0

The charged-up Chargers netted nine goals in a second shut-out in a row Friday evening by beating an inexperienced Neuse Baptist Christian School team.  The Gold team showed tremendous sportsmanship and we repositioned players in the second half to sharpen our skills.  Once again, our goalkeepers, Gerry Cuomo and Aaron Rushin split the halves with stellar play.  Many of our goals were unassisted and off steals from our superior midfielders and forwards.  Orlan Velev started off the scoring with a nice steal, and his goal was followed with two goals by Kunal Kamerkar, two by Ian Brooks, two by Connor Dunleavy, and two by Imraan Parnuk.  Ian also had one assist on a sweet corner kick to Connor, who nicely placed it into the goal.

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September 6, 2007
CA hosts Bethesda Christian Academy 6 - 0

The middle school Gold soccer team broke into the win column with a defensively dominated 6-0 shut out of Bethesda Christian Academy!  Stellar goalkeeping by Aaron Rushin and Gerry Cuomo kept the Crusaders from putting the ball into our net.  Our defenders, Harrison Atkinson, Arjun Rao, Averett Mehrbakhsh, and Sahil Daval supported one another tremendously while occasionally switching with the midfielders, Joe Parrish, Victor Walker, and Nathan Niles, who ran hard for the entire game!  Imraan Parnuk's awesome left foot shot got past the Crusaders' keeper twice (assists by Kunal Kamerkar and Victor Walker) in the first five minutes, and Imraan later assisted one of Brett Reuben's two goals toward the end of the game.  Brett's other goal was assisted by David Maydew.  Center forward Orlan Velev scored with another nice pass from right winger, Kunal Kamerkar, and Jake Hammer tallied the other goal with a third assist from from Kunal.  The Gold team played extremely well together in tonight's win and communicated nicely!

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September 4, 2007
CA vs. Trinity Academy of Raleigh  0 - 3

An experienced Trinity Academy of Raleigh team entered their fifth game of the season beating the Chargers in our first match of the year 3-0.  As the Gold roster is establishing roles and positions, one of the team captains, Harrison Atkinson, along with teammates Ian Brooks, Josh Kennedy, and Victor Walker showed that our strength is on the defensive end of the field.  The Trinity Academy goalie was extremely tough and stopped all of the shots taken by Imraan Parnuk's strong left foot, Eric McDonald, and the rest of our front line and midfielders.  We will work hard with drills and fitness training to get more offensive shots on goal.  We have two more games this week, one on Thursday and one again on Friday.