The boys soccer team is gearing up for a new season aiming to win the state championship. Last year the team advanced  to the state semifinal and lost to eventual state champion McIntosh 4-1.

Despite the loss of five key seniors, including two starters, the team is confident.

“This team, since I have been head coach, has improved every single year, and this year our squad is the strongest I have seen since I have been at Grady,” coach Nikolai Curtis said.

Tryouts took place on Jan. 22 and 23, with  the 21-man roster set by the next day.

“We had a really good turn out at tryouts this year,” senior captain Caleb Weinstock said. “We now have a few freshmen on the varsity team and a strong junior varsity team.”                                   

The heartbreaking loss at the state semifinals last season has only motivated the team this season. Coaches and captains are looking to improve and correct last year’s mistakes.

“I think the biggest thing this year is to actually score when we have the opportunities in those critical situations,” Curtis said. “Last year we had a lot of opportunities against the tougher teams, and we just didn’t sink those goals in the back of the net, and had we done that, we could have had some better outcomes.”

Senior goalkeeper, Jack Hudson, has been on the varsity team all four years and is excited to continue his soccer career into college. Hudson will play on the University of Kentucky’s men soccer team next fall.

“Jack was feeling offers from a number of places, and I think he went with Kentucky because he felt it was his best opportunity for him to grow as a player,” Curtis said. “I think Kentucky is a very mature choice for him.”

Although rewarding, Hudson’s journey was not always easy. He went through a long process of going to camps and switching club soccer teams.

“If I were to give someone who is trying to get recruited advice, I would say that you have to be at the right showcases,” Hudson said.

Hudson originally played for Inter Atlanta FC and then moved to Alpharetta Ambush so he could play on a national league team. He moved to play more competitive soccer in the hopes of being noticed by a college coach.

“It is just better soccer, so coaches will come to those games looking for players to recruit,” Hudson said. “One of the games is where Kentucky saw me.”

Despite Kentucky pursuing Hudson during his junior year, the Wildcats were not always interested in him.

“It’s actually funny, I went to a camp there and they did not really like me,” Hudson said. “But then, I kept emailing them and eventually I sent them my own highlight tape. After seeing that, they came out to watch me.”

Hudson, Weinstock, and Alex Durham are the three captains this season. The team opened the season Feb. 2 against North Atlanta.

“They have what it takes to succeed, and we believe in them,” Curtis said. “Our job is to make sure they know that and will put it out on the field.” p