So far, the Cougars are proving it. We have 10 guys who have the talent to score. And then there is the defense. Senior goalie Nick Hovaker backs a solid line of seniors Matt Death, Tom Ruszin, Jon Philipp and sophomore sweeper Addison Pumphrey, the only non-senior starter in a lineup seeking to become the only program at Chesapeake to earn multiple state championships. But that alone is not got to win the state title.
Every game is another step toward the end result.
It's a very realistic possibility that we could win the state title and go undefeated doing it. Coach Jerry McBee believes this team can break through to the Class 4A state semifinals after losing in the region final the past two seasons. But they were important wins because if we would have lost to teams we knew we were better than, it would have taken a few more games for us to our confidence back. Led by senior captains Veronica Cyford and Rachel Lightfoot, the Cougars have made a smooth transition to McBee's more attacking style of play this season. We have gotten close to winning a state championship the last two years, and for the seniors on this team, this is our last chance.