CORBIN —
By Les Dixon / Sports Editor
WHITLEY COUNTY — Whitley County’s third year of high school soccer looks to be even a better one, according to third-year coach Bosco Cupac.
Under Cupac, Whitley County has increased its win total in each of the team’s first two years from seven in 2010 to nine in 2011.
The success has given Cupac reason to believe his Colonels could compete for the 31st District championship this season.
“I think we are ready,” Cupac said. “You know last season we played South Laurel to a 2-1 decision and South Laurel ended up winning the district and region championship before getting beat at the state tournament. That was a close loss to a very good team.
“I think we are right there with everyone else in the district and region, but we have got to overcome the lack of inexperience,” he added. “That will be very important for us.”
Whitley County returns a solid nucleus from last season’s 9-10-1 team that lost 1-0 to North Laurel during first round action of the 31st District Tournament.
“I like what we have returning,” Cupac said. “We have a group of talented players that have moved up from the middle school and I have confidence in them. If they can respond well, hopefully we will be better than we have been.”
Cupac admitted the key for his team is to get off to a better start than in years past. In 2010, Whitley County came out of the gate with a 2-5-3 record during its first 10 games and last season the Colonels were 6-4, but lost five of their next six games.
“It’s key, absolutely we must get off to a better start,” he said. “I really believe we will because in the past our players weren’t used to the formations at this point of the season and they are really picking up on things quicker now, especially the formations. Last season I felt like we picked it up mid-way through the season, but this year we need to start better.”
Whitley County returns talented players in Brian Kurzeik, Zack Bryant, Josh Ramos, Cody Swafford, Hunter Keltner and John Siler.
Granted the Colonels did lose their top two goal scorers to graduation (Josh Couch, 12 goals and Cameron Reeves, eight goals), but Keltner (six goals) and Swafford (two goals) have shown they can step up their play.
“I think we are at the point that we are going to be very competitive,” Cupac said. “We have improved.”
Whitley County’s first game of the season will be played at home on Aug. 14 against Pulaski County.
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