The goalie’s kick is in the air, the players battle for whose head will hit it first and the crowd is hushed in anticipation. These scenes have fueled the campus boys’ soccer program for the past ten years.

Matt Markarian has been the head coach since the program began in ’94.

“The Fresno Christian soccer league began when David Peters [former vice principal], some parents and about 16 players got together to form the first soccer team since the 80s,” Markarian said.

With a new program, Markarian worked and pushed his fresh young team to the Valley championship in ’96 and ’98 but failed to gain the Valley title.

“We really came along once Danny Risch [’96] came to the program,” Markarian said. “He was always a step ahead of the others skill wise.”

Risch joined the new team its second year, in ’95, when he was a junior. After playing for Markarian for two years, he now coaches with him.

“I enjoy coaching with Markarian,” Risch said. “I’ve always felt comfortable with him and he really knows how to work well with these guys. He is more than qualified to coach here and he not only builds their skill but their character.”

According to team members, Markarian has improved the team, surpassing even their own expectations.

“I think this year we’ve really exceeded others expectations, even our own,” team captain, Clinton Jeffries, ’04, said. “All the other teams this year are hairy but not too much bigger than me like past years.”

Jeffries has been playing soccer since kindergarten and has been playing on campus since fifth grade.

“We have a lot of holes this year and there are some players who don’t really help us at all,” Jeffries said. “Last years team worked better together. But this year we still play at our highest level in every game and we have established a good team bond.”

This season four players did not return leaving these “holes” wide open.

“Seniors Seth [Fisher], Tyler Wiebe, Nick Crawford and Nick Carrera [’05] are the main reasons we aren’t doing too well this year,” Justin Shanen, ’04, said. “I really wish they had come back.”

Despite a loosing streak, the soccer team is hopeful for a brighter future.

“We’ve played hard and are getting better,” Markarian said. “We’ve been really competitive this year and I’m looking forward to a promising season next year.”

Currently the team is now 7-13 overall and 2-10 in the W.S.L. In a recent match, Tranquility defeated the boys, 4-0, on Feb. 10. FC next hosts Mendota on Feb. 13.

For more information on boys’ soccer and other sports, parents and students can contact 299-1695, ext. 5.