Our Varsity and Middle School Boys’ and Girls’ soccer seasons are off to a great start this fall. The Varsity Boys are 7-1 and the Varsity Girls are 6-1, playing strong in the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference and also against a number of area public school teams. The Middle School Boys are 3-0 in the Atlantic Cape Junior High League and the Middle School Girls are 1-2. Check out the Athletic Calendar on the ACS website for upcoming game information. Come on out and cheer on our Cougars to victory!
One exciting upcoming game will be on Friday, October 15, when ACS faces off against Pilgrim Academy at home under the lights — for two special evening games. The Varsity Girls’ game will begin at 5 p.m. and the Varsity Boys’ game will kick off at 7 p.m. All games will be played on the Varsity Boys’ turf field. Welcome back to Varsity Girls’ coach Carly Witherow and Varsity Boys’ coach Andres Tortola.
The Middle School Boys’ team got special training at a recent practice from a guest coach — former Major League Soccer (MLS) player, Rich Balchan. Balchan played professional soccer from 2011-2017, including stints with two MLS teams — the Columbus Crew in Ohio and the Real Salt Lake in Utah. Balchan now lives in Atlantic County and is the Director of Coaching at Hamilton Elite FC, a youth soccer club in Mays Landing.
Middle School Boys’ head coach David O’Donnell invited Balchan to work with his team and felt it had a positive impact on his young players. “Our boys really got some good insight into the kind of skills and discipline that are needed to become a professional athlete,” O’Donnell said. Balchan led the players in passing and receiving skills and guided them on game play movement, positioning, and strategy. He also posed with the players for a team photo during the practice. Balchan said he also plans to offer his coaching skills at an upcoming Varsity Boys’ soccer team practice.
