Goals were hard to come by for Franklin in its state playoff soccer game. However, for the season, scoring was plentiful compared to a year ago.
The Panthers fell 2-0 at Shelby on Oct. 30 in the first round of the 2-A NCHSAA playoffs.
They finished the season 12-10 in the second year under coach Matt Kolodzik.
The record is an improvement of three wins from last year, while the scoring more than doubled. FHS netted 71 goals compared to 31 last year (in the same number of games).
The Panthers shifted to a more offensive formation this season, leaving only three players on the defensive back line.
“I’m real proud of the guys,” Kolodzik said. “I thought they had a really good season.”
Kolodzik said the coaches will look at their personnel at the start of next season and determine which formation would best suit the players.
“We may go with four on the back line, we may stick with three,” Kolodzik said. “We’ll see how things play out.”
One thing is for sure: the Panthers were much more offensive-minded this season.
Cris Chavez was the biggest scorer, drilling 39 goals. It’s one of the best single-season totals in school history (Kurt Lehnert owns the record with 48 goals in 1986).
Chavez also led the team in assists, dishing out nine.
Kolodzik pointed to a few reasons why the Panthers had more success offensively.
“The understanding by the players, not only getting the ball to guys to finish, but being in a position where we could finish; looking for the through ball and outside balls; penetrating passes to get in behind
defenders,” Kolodzik said. “Mentally, they know it’s not just me against another person. They were able to create some runs and also feed up to somebody making a run. They were getting into good habits and looking for that as opposed to going one-on-one or unloading an ambitious shot.”
FHS was the No. 29 seed in the state playoffs and played No. 4 Shelby, which came in with a 19-0-2 record.
The Panthers held the Lions to a scoreless tie in the first half.
“I think we surprised them in the first half,” Kolodzik said. “I’m really happy with the way we played. The effort was great. We just couldn’t quite break through. After they scored the first one, they pulled a guy back and compacted their defense.”
Shelby won its second-round match and was slated to play Wednesday in the third round.
Mountain Six schools Hendersonville, East Henderson and Franklin all lost in the first round. Conference champ Smoky Mountain won by one in the first round but got upset in the second round.
Franklin allowed three more goals than last year, 41 to 38. That’s very minimal compared to the offensive gain. Kolodzik was fine with that and complimented the play from sophomore goalkeeper Isaac Jennings.
Defenders Jacob Kolodzik, a senior, and Caleb Pevia, sophomore, were the team leaders in several statistical categories.
The Panthers will lose their top three scorers to graduation, including Enrique Argueta (15 goals, seven assists) and Juan Gomez (four goals, three assists). Gomez injured his knee and missed most of the second half of the season.
Kolodzik said several players are capable of stepping up and increasing their scoring load next season. He pointed out that Chavez scored only five goals as a junior before exploding into a major offensive threat.
While the Panthers are losing nine seniors, only four of them were starters. Kolodzik said that bodes well for the future, having a freshman, plus several sophomores and juniors returning.
“We’ll have a good group of guys back,” he said. “I’m hoping they’ll work to develop in the offseason and be ready to go for the next go-round.”
The Panthers achieved multiple goals they set before the season. A year after missing the state playoffs, they qualified for the postseason.
After finishing fifth in the MSC, they rose to third.
“We had a much more complete season,” Kolodzik said. “I think they’re seeing now what it takes.”
Scored 71 goals this season (last year 31 in 22 games)
Allowed 41 goals (38 last year)
FHS (12-10, 6-4 MSC)
7-3 at home
Chavez 39 goals ranked tied for 41st in nation (tied 15th in NC)
Most in a season since 2016 when Kevin Sanchez scored 37
Single-season record is 48 in the inaugural season of FHS soccer (1986)
MSC standings
Smoky Mountain 9-1
Hendersonville 7-3
Franklin 6-4
East Henderson 6-4
Brevard 2-8
Pisgah 0-10
SINGLE SEASON GOALS
Goals Name Year
48 Kurt Lehnert 1986
39 Cris Chavez 2019
37 Kevin Sanchez 2016
31 Kurt Lehnert 1987*
* (plus missing four games)