Statesboro Men’s Soccer falls short first round state to end 2023-2024 season

The Men's Blue Devil team had one of their best season finishes this year.

Destiny Hartwell

STATESBORO, April 17, 2024 — The Statesboro Blue Devil men’s varsity soccer team lost their first round State matchup against the Chamblee High School Bulldogs, 3-0 at Womack Field Wednesday evening.

Throughout the matchup Statesboro tried to follow their game plan, but the Bulldogs seemed to just have their number. Statesboro scored their first goal by junior stricker, Jude Powell within the first 10 minutes of the match, but it was taken away after an off-sides call was made.

The Bulldogs were able to control the ball a majority of the match keeping the Blue Devils from being able to move the ball up the field. The Bulldogs put a lot of pressure in the center pitch, so whenever a Blue Devils player got the ball in the middle of the field, two or more Bulldogs would be on him and force him to turn and move back down the field towards the Blue Devils defense where their strong strikers could overpower and out number the Statesboro defense.

The Blue Devils had to adjust in the second half of the matchup, but it was too late for them to really make a difference in the match. Statesboro needed speed in the front to combat Chamblee’s strong midfield. The Blue Devils continually switched out strikers to give fresh legs every few minutes.

Although their season is over, the Blue Devils have constantly been a force in the region and are used to being in the playoffs. As the years progress, this varsity team will start to build that reputation of being on that stage and will continue to go further in the playoffs.

Head coach, Jared Simonin was proud of how his team played and the resilience of his team, especially his seniors. Simonin left a message with his seniors and returning players that he wants them to know.

To Seniors: “They’re still the family. They’re not leaving us because we are building a family unit within the boys soccer program and no matter where they go we expect them to do great things and show that Statesboro High boys soccer is great and they’ll always have a home to come back to.”

To returning players: “It’s their job now to make this home better than the seniors have left it.”