Boys and girls soccer season overview

Boys and girls soccer are back on the field for the winter season ready to make a comeback. Last year, girls soccer barely came short to Arvin for The Valley final. Their hope is to be back in the section finals and finish on top. Boys soccer finished off the season losing to Sierra Pacific for the CIF Central Section Valley Championship, the first one they have played since 2005.

New coach, Waseem Akhtar, fills the position of the boys head soccer coach at Fresno Christian. Akhtar chose to coach boys soccer here because of its good reputation, disciplined players, and their family-oriented environment. With the program being connected to Matt Markarian, it was easy for him to finalize the decision.  

Soccer has greatly impacted his life as Akhtar has years of experience on the pitch.

“I chose soccer because I have played for 40 years,” Akhtar said. “I grew up in Norway playing soccer, tennis and running. However, soccer was close to my heart. Upon moving to California, many years ago, my sons wanted to play soccer and that got me into coaching. I have been coaching competitive and club soccer for the past 20 years. This is my first year coaching high school, club and school ball.”

Junior Jakob Rieker and senior Bradley Cheney were picked to represent the team as captains this season based on their experience and excellent attitude.

Rieker recognizes the commitment needed to lead the team.

“Its pretty awesome to lead my high school team as a captain,” Rieker said. “Last year when my brother left the pitch he would place the band on my arm so I kinda got placed on the podium starting last year and got a little taste on what is expected. I think that the coaches agreed on Brad and myself because we have the most experience of all the players on the squad this year, and we are both upper class men.”

Since the opening of Fresno Christian in 1977, there has not been both varsity and JV soccer team in the same year. This season, girls soccer coach Matt Markarian decided to break this precedent. 

“We decided to have two teams due to the overwhelming response we have had for soccer this year,” Markarian said. “It has been awesome to have two teams, and the amount of playing time they are getting has been invaluable to all of our athletes’ development.” 

The varsity girls soccer team has four captains: Natalie Johnson, Trinity Cox, Selah Draper and Kirra Obwald. These players have shown up every day ready to work and make sure that the rest of the team is ready to train and compete.

Senior Natalie Johnson has been invested in the soccer team since her freshman year.

“I feel really honored to be a captain on the girls varsity team,” Johnson said. “There is definitely pressure to be a captain, but I believe that it’s a necessary one. Being a captain shouldn’t just be on the field during a game, but rather a bond and mentorship between yourself and other players which is available at any time of any given day.” 

Both teams competed in the Garces tournament in Bakersfield, Dec. 10-11. Boys took 1st place in the silver bracket and girls took 2nd.

For more Feather photos visit The Feather Media page. 

To read another sports profile visit Tri-sport athlete Brad Cheney chases his dream.