2015

Southeast soccer players sign with ECCC

By Reed DeSalvo rdesalvo®themend1anstar.com

The Southeast Lauderdale High School soccer team had a magical 2014·15 campaign The Tigers went 21-1 and beat Sacred Heart 4-2 on penalty kicks to claim the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A stale championship. On Wednesday, Southeast adcled to this season's achieve– ments after seniors Chase Hughes and Gage Leifried signed college scholarship papers with East Cen– tral Community College. 'They bought into the programs and did the necessary things to get better as soccer players," Southeast Lauderdale coach Mike TI1omas said. '1'hey enjoy playing, and they are showing great initia– tive - and I think that is their biggest attribute. Not only are they two good soccer players, they're also outstanding people. They are the epitome of the stu– dent-athlete." Hughes led the Tigers as a striker, scoring 31 goals, while Leifried scored two from his right back position. The pair were named first team All-District and Hughes garnered honorable mention All-State recog– nition. "His hustle and desire puts pressure on opposing teams," Thomae:; said of Hughes. "He prac– tices on his own, in the offseason, touching the ball and running laps around the field. And Gage has tremendous leadership, he's self– starter, and that's the key to suc– cess. Diligence, persistence, hard work and being a self-starter. Not only is that applicable to soccer, but that also applies to life." Hughes chose East Central over Hinds Community College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, citing location and a familiar likeness in making his

Special to The Star

Southeast Lauderdale High School's Chase Hughes, left, and Gage Leifried sign college scholarship papers with East Central Community College Wednesday. The two seniors led the Tigers to a 21-1 mark in 2014-15 and a MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A state championship.

decision. "It was my plan to go, and it ended up being (Lcifried's) plan too," Hughes said. "I don't know where they'll play me yet. I may be moved to a midfield role, but I like playing striker." Meanwhile, Leifried chose ECCC due to the school's strong reputation in preliminary engi- \ neering. Additionally, the senior defender said playing with a team– mate was an added benefit. ''It's a lot easier to get up at 5:30 a.m. to go work out and train with a close friend," Leifried said. "They're tired and sweating with you, and it just makes things a Jot easier." Not only was Wednesday special for Hughes and Leifried, but also for Thomas, as the grizzled coach beamed with pride while .~o more

Tigers were added to the long list of Southeast Lauderdale standouts who signed college scholarships. "You try to teach them in the classroom, and you try to show them a little soccer, and they have to take it from there," Thomas said. "You want to inspire them to go further, to excel, and these guys have done that." For Hughes and Lefried, the pair remains hopeful the winning tradition they've helped establish at Southeast will trickle down to the players coming through the system for years to come. ''I hope that I've inspired

younger guys not to be as good as me, but better than me," Leifried said. "I hope someone looks up to me and says I want to be as good as him or better, or I want to make this soccer team better than what it was the year before." SCOTT COUNTY TIMES ------ WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL

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