If you’re at all familiar with Central Catholic, you are aware that talent is an underlying theme in the soccer team. Well, for the past five years to say the least. On February 3, Central Catholic took home their 5th straight district title, (Division 1, District 3) 2-0 against St. Dominic Savio. (Austin) They did so while going undefeated in all six district games. (6-0)

On the road to a historic fifth championship, I sat down one-on-one via Zoom with Coach Edward Cartee to get his insight to just that, as well as the goals and strategies they will need to obtain that fifth title.

“I am really proud of the boys this year. To having competed in district is one of our goals every season, but not every season have we accomplished that,” Cartee explains. He has also explained that due to an odd season, players have been missing games. But on top of that, he says the boys have done a good job of “staying focused,” throughout the season.

Central Catholic is supposed to host their first round match at Bob Benson ’66 Stadium this Tuesday, February 16, but even with many forecasts in the area projecting possible winter mix and snow, Cartee isn’t worried about that at all. He says, “The path ahead of us is four games… I feel really good about our team, but what’s important is how you execute actually in those matches.”

Cartee then talks about the technique, and how he as a coach is involved in a championship club as big as Central Catholic. He starts off by saying, “I think it starts from the leadership within the team.”

He continues, “Coaching and mentoring the captains and the seniors and the influential players…the time that I am with them we try to keep everyone focused on improving themselves and reaching their full potential.”

Cartee also says game plans, day-by-day learning, and skills are keys to winning and accomplishing goals within the program. This all comes with 2 hours and 15 minutes of practice, roughly, with two days on half-hour weight sessions.

Consistency is also a huge part of the process. “We’ve been focusing a lot recently on our attacking players being very dynamic,” Cartee says. “The most important thing at this point in the year is concentration…The players know what they need to do. They’ve done it before, they do it every day. But that ability to have the focus that is required to execute that same technique, that same strategy, that same skill under pressure in these game situations…so concentration is the most important thing for the team by far.”

The first playoff game is tentatively set for Tuesday, February 16 at Bob Benson ’66 Stadium. The weather could ultimately decide if the game will still be on, however Cartee does say that he wants the school to go out and have the chance to cheer on the team, as they race for that fifth title.