2025 Season
Optional workouts August 14 & 15th, 4:00-5:30 pm. Tryouts: Aug 18-19 @ 3:45-5:15. First Practice: Aug 20 @ 3:45-5:15 on Field 5.
Questions? Contact Coach Dottarar via email: eric.dottarar@charlottelatin.org
2024 Season Summary
By Coach Alt
Coach Alt and Coach Brunton managed another successful middle school team, but the players of the Navy team earned their own winning record (6-5-2.) This was the first year of two middle school boys’ team, as the 7th and 8th graders were separated into Navy and White teams per experience levels. Henry, Luke, Carsten, Lawton, Griffin, William V, Zach, Turner, Vin, Lucas, Krish and Brooks led the team as 8th graders, and we are quite interested with their paths into Upper School soccer. Will R and Finley will provide the leadership for next year’s team, and proved their worth many times over. Not only did Navy play a tremendous brand of soccer, but we competed with every bit of our hearts and enjoyed each other’s company immensely.
By Coach Dottarar
2024 was the first year for two middle school teams. The goal was to maximize the time each player was able to be on the pitch and this season delivered. The white team was made up of 12 players who displayed heart and grit. Every game some players were asked to play the entire 60 minutes without break. And, the boys responded. At times, players were asked to play in different positions and learn new roles. Again, they responded. Two standout games were Metrolina and the last game of the year against Charlotte Country Day. Metrolina was the season's 1st win with Elliott Meek scoring and subsequently leading the team in exuberant celebration. Charlotte Country Day ended in a tie, but displayed moments of pure soccer bliss as the boys possessed the ball displaying the technical abilities they had practiced all season. Collin McGirt buried the penalty kick and let the other side know the white team was here to play. We wish our two 8th graders: Elliott Meek and Miller Ford all the best.
2023 Season Summary
Finishing with another strong, winning record, we truly believe we were the best team and were disappointed that there were no playoffs this year to settle this question. It really came down to Cannon and Latin. The Middle School Boys' Soccer team played with tremendous quality, technically and tactically, and we were playing our best at the end of the season. Coach Alt, Coach Brunton, and Coach Dottarar were extremely pleased and impressed with all the growth and maturity this season. The soccer field, as with all athletics, is an extension of the classroom and is part of the full Latin experience. We are so proud how these student-athletes are positively contributing to the Latin Community. We will dearly miss our seventeen 8th graders – all the best going into Upper School! And for our 7th graders, keep working hard towards making Fall 2024 another great season!
2022 Season Summary
The 2022 Middle School boys' soccer season was led by head coach Paul Alt, along with assistant coach Mark Brunton, succeeding several progressive years from head coach Powell Paguibitan. This team continued the technical and tactical improvements from previous seasons, and combined these efforts with player-initiated team goals of resiliency and staying positive. The goals were met many times, as the season was streaked with ebbs and flows. We won the first four games, dropped the next three, and won the last four games, resulting in the #2 spot at the end of regular season. This seeding set a semi-final between Latin and PD on Patten Stadium. PD scored against the run of play halfway through the first half, and Latin continued to bombard the Chargers until the lights came on, but ultimately fell 0-1. The Hawks played their best soccer at the end of the season in front a great Latin crowd. Other highlights included two victories over Country Day, and late winners at Christian and Covenant Day. The team celebrates ten 8th graders and wishes them all the best in Upper School, and we are excited about 15 returning 7th graders for next season! Go Hawks!
2021 Season Summary
The 2021 Middle School boys' soccer season can be characterized in one word: growth. Growth in technical and tactical skills, growth in character, and growth in teamwork. Although there were a few setbacks, the boys worked hard and measured their success in progress, not final outcomes. They were dedicated to the process of playing "Latin style soccer" and were playing their best soccer at the end of the year. Despite losing twice to the #1 seeded Providence Day, the boys challenged them in the playoffs until the final moments. All season long the boys worked on passing with two touches, distributing wide, crossing negative balls, and playing with "burst ramming speed". The final goal scored this season was a beauty - it combined all of these elements into one culminating moment. Most importantly, the boys ended the season playing as one cohesive unit rather than 11 individual players on the field, a true testament to the bonds of teamwork that developed over the course of the season. The boys ended the season as more than just soccer teammates, but friends who enjoyed playing soccer together.
2020 Season Summary
From Coach Paguibitan: "The 2020 middle school boys' soccer season was marked by growth and grit: 2 major factors needed on the field, and in life. Despite starting the season socially distant, the boys were able to come together and work as a team. They demonstrated the mental fortitude to bounce back from setbacks as they came back twice against Country Day to even the score despite being down by two goals. Even in the final moments of losing the final game, they continued to battle hard and give 100% effort until the last whistle. Season highlights included a 4-1 opening win vs Charlotte Christian and tying a previously unbeaten Holy Trinity team. Perhaps the most important lesson was learning how to play for a win instead of simply playing to not lose. Although the game schedule was shortened this year, the boys learned the necessary technical, tactical, and mental skills needed to advance to the next level. The best team does not always win in soccer, but continued effort and playing the right way will pay dividends as they boys progress in the Latin soccer program."
