When spring arrives in Kennesaw, football fields are crowded with high school soccer players eager to outscore their opponents and display their skills in front of friends and family. At Harrison High, the girls team typically garnered all the attention, racking up three state championships in the past decade and a half. However, in recent years, the Harrison boys soccer squad has worked its way up the ranks and is in the midst of an epic 2022 season, standing at 17-0 through April 4.
Prior to the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Harrison’s last year with a winning record was 2015. Since then, a series of losing streaks derailed potentially promising seasons. But after going 4-1-2 in 2020, the Hoyas picked up the pace, posting a 14-4-1 mark in 2021. In a new region, the Hoyas turned a five-game winning streak into a playoff berth as they demolished region rivals Marietta and North Cobb by a combined 11 goals to one. All four of their losses came by one goal or less, and three came in the extra period. The Hoyas’ 2021 playoff run came to an end in the quarterfinals, as they fell in penalty kicks to the eventual state champions, South Forsyth.
Despite losing leading scorer Blake Buffington to graduation, the Harrison boys soccer team managed to start 2022 off on the right foot. After a close 2-1 victory over Starr’s Mill in the season opener, Harrison rattled off 12 consecutive victories by more than one goal.
Unlike in 2021, the Hoyas’ success this season has come thanks to balanced scoring and excellent passing. Three players have scored at least 10 goals this season, and that number is bound to increase come playoffs. It was this teamwork mindset that helped Harrison exact revenge on a tough Walton squad it fell to twice last season. After allowing the tying goal in the second half, the Hoyas composed themselves by playing stellar defense in overtime and stymying any momentum by the Raiders. Harrison would eventually win 4-3 in penalties. Since that test, the Hoyas have not allowed a single goal. Team defense, indeed.
From 7-11-2 in 2019 to undefeated (so far) in 2022, the Harrison boys soccer team has completed a turnaround not often witnessed at the high school level. Their “team-first” mindset has helped them through rough patches this season, and it has laid the foundation for a likely deep playoff run. Three years ago, who would have thought the Hoyas would have two potential state championship-caliber soccer teams? Not many; now the doubters are being proven wrong. It appears there is history in the making within the Harrison soccer program.
