Injuries hurt Chargers’ play in soccer

Published 10:36 am Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Central High School’s varsity soccer team was competitive in its opening games this season, but it has struggled since then, dropping two games last week to extend its losing streak to four games.

“We had gotten off to a fairly decent start to the season but have been plagued with injuries — broken bones, sprains, concussions — for the past few games,” Chargers Head Coach Hunter Dipaolo said. “At one point we were missing seven starters due to injuries and two players parting ways with the team, so the middle of the season has been rocky. Missing seven starters out of eleven on the field makes a huge impact on how we play.”

But there is a positive to be found in Central’s situation.

“I cannot be more pleased with the younger and less experienced players who have stepped in to fill those roles,” Dipaolo said.

Later, he made a point of thanking all of the freshmen and sophomore players on the team who have not played high school soccer until this year — Mark Strigel, Kona Akau, Hampton Blake, Alex Boyd, Chloe Bailey and Rowan Long.

Central (2-6-1) returns to action Wednesday, April 24, when it hosts Cumberland County High School at 6 p.m.