FCS Team Details

Soccer Championship: Paladins Blank Whitefield 1-0 to Bring Home Trophy

The Fellowship Christian School middle school boys soccer team have completed a championship season.

The Paladins defeated Whitefield Academy, 1-0, in the finals of the Metro 10 League Playoffs at Bob Lord Field on April 24.

The middle school boys soccer team was runner-up in 2023 and won the title in 2019. The program won NAML championships in 2013, 2012 and 2006, and has advanced to the Final 4 on 10 occasions: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2007 and 2006.

In the third meeting between the teams this season, Lucas Gonzalez scored the game’s only goal on April 24.

FCS won the first match-up of the season, 2-0, and the teams tied the second meeting, 1-1.

“Both teams came ready to play as it was a great display of soccer and competition,” head coach Brad Welty said. “Every player gave their absolute all and it was a battle of wills for the entire 60 minutes. Fellowship scored the lone goal with five minutes left in the first half. The goal was not one of our typical goals. Usually, we have several great passes to break a team down and then finish a nice shot. We did have some nice passing leading up to the goal, but it was scored through sheer determination and fight. There was a scrum in front of the goal, and we had several guys fighting to get the ball. Lucas was able to fight through and hit it into the back of the net.”

FCS led 1-0 at the half and then were able to hold Whitefield off in the second half to claim the championship.

“Our defense really played amazing, and Hudson Padlo made some great plays in goal,” Welty said. “Our defense has been stellar all year and today they really stepped up to meet the challenge that Whitefield presented. Mack Thomas, Brayden Clark, George Skardassis and Cash Strickland played really strong against Whitefield’s super talented forwards. But all the guys really played great on ball defense. Our mids, and forwards all played great positionally and helped stop offensive attacks at key moments. There were a lot of hustle plays, from all players, that don’t show up in the stats that helped us get this win.”

The Paladins had four shots on goal compared to the WolfPack’s five, while FCS had five corners compared to Whitefield’s three.

With the win, the Paladins completed an undefeated season (12-0-2).

“This season has truly been amazing, and it’s not because of the wins,” Welty said. “It’s because of the group of guys that I had the opportunity to coach. They are a great group of young men, and it has been an honor to be able to coach them. When I hear players say ‘they are going to miss this’ at our last practice, then I knew I had done my job. That’s what I really want to hear. Of course, CHAMPIONS is also nice to hear.”

Double OT Thriller: Undefeated Paladins Advance to Championship Game

It took two overtimes, but the Fellowship Christian School middle school boys soccer team won its playoff game.

Reece Wilson scored the game-winning goal for the Paladins with 40 seconds left in the second overtime of a 3-2 victory over The Mount Vernon School at Bob Lord Field in the semifinals of the Metro 10 League Playoffs. He was assisted by Hunter Bernd.

“It was a thrilling game that saw the Paladins win,” head coach Brad Welty said. “It was a great game by both teams. I feel we started off great, but Mount Vernon made some adjustments and kept fighting. Once they got the first goal our guys kind of let their energy drop and hung their heads a little. But they dug deep in the overtime and found a way to win. I was really proud of them. I think they learned that you can’t let yourself ever get too hyped or too down, but just keep your determination and positive energy at a constant level.”

The undefeated FCS squad led 2-0 at halftime behind goals from Sully Willis and Lucas Gonzalez. The Paladins maintained the lead until about 18 minutes left when Mount Vernon was able to score off a beautiful header from a corner. They found the equalizer with about 10 minutes left. The Paladins had some more opportunities to take the lead, but they were unable to find the finishing touch.

Neither team scored in the first five-minute overtime.

It’s a return trip to the finals for Fellowship, that fell short last year in the championship game. FCS will host the championship game on Wednesday, April 23 at 4 p.m. against the winner of the Saint Francis and Whitefield Academy contest.

The Paladins improved to 11-0-2 with the victory.

Streak Continues: Paladins Extend Unbeaten Stretch with Playoff Victory

The Fellowship Christian School middle school boys soccer team opened the Metro 10 League Playoffs on a winning note.

FCS extended its unbeaten streak to 12 matches with a 6-0 win over Providence Christian Academy at Bob Lord Field in the quarterfinals.

Fellowship improved to 10-0-2 with the victory and advanced to the semifinals.

The Paladins, the No. 1 seed from the West Division, led 5-0 at halftime.

“We moved the ball well and had some really nice finishes,” head coach Brad Welty said. “It could have been seven or eight, but we had a couple near misses. We only got one goal in the second half, but we were able to control play. Providence was only able to manage 2 shots in the game thanks to some great defending by Mack Thomas, Brayden Clark, Cash Strickland, and Jack Shoemaker.”

The Paladin goals were scored by Sully Willis (two), Cash Strickland (two), Jake Paulson (one), and Reece Wilson (one). Fellowship recorded four assists in the game: Reece Wilson (two), Drew Tyler (one), and Brayden Clark (one).