Featured Game: Undefeated

contributed by: joearriolajr

By Joe Arriola
Sports Reporter -- TOWNSQUAREBUZZ.com

Senior Taimoor Tahir made the most of his first career start as he kicked things off for McKinney High with a goal in the sixth minute. Tahir capitalized on a cross by Conrod Goulbourne and kept his balance to send the ball passed a Sherman defender and Bearcats goalkeeper Larry Jones.

"That was real inspiring - on senior night - to see Tahir step in and get the first goal of the game," McKinney High head coach Alan Pocock said. "He's been working every chance he can and to see him jump in there, get the first start of his career, and score that first goal inspired us all."

The Lions were held scoreless for the remaining 36 minutes but after halftime the floodgates burst open and MHS scored three goals to put Sherman away and finish the 2011 season undefeated.

"We've been talking about this moment for a while now and I think [being undefeated] makes us have even more pride in ourselves because this offseason we worked hard and did a lot of conditioning," senior captain Urim Hamiti said.

As sophomores, Hamiti, Conrod Goulbourne, and Grant Sigler had the opportunity to be a part of a Lions team that advanced all the way to the fourth round of the UIL soccer playoffs.

"We want to exceed expectations like we did that year."

Although he shares the title of team captain with fellow senior Goulbourne, Hamiti made it clear that he couldn't possibly take credit for the Lions success this season as his job as leader is made easier by the fact that everyone else on the team steps up when called upon.

"To be honest, all 11 of us have done something this year. You can go to the left backs or the right backs - we all have stats. Everyone gets involved and at the end of the day we're united. It's an honor to have the label but it's nice to have everyone doing everything right."

McKinney High's 4-0 win over the Bearcats marked the first time in school history the Lions boys soccer team has swept Sherman in district play.

"They're always a solid squad and Chico [Aleman] does a good job," Pocock said.

But Tuesday's win wasn't just about notching two wins over Sherman or finishing undefeated. Before the game even started, the Lions honored their senior soccer players and their families for all of their hard work and dedication to the program over the last four years.

McKinney High's senior class included Brett Villarreal, Michael Gonsalves, Urim Hamiti, Hayden Taylor, Jose Hernandez, Conrod Goulbourne, Grant Sigler, Philip Lefebvre, Erick Mendoza, Taimoor Tahir, Corbin Whan, and Davis Weidow.

For the first time in his 20-year coaching career at McKinney High, Pocock started a senior night game with a lineup of only senior players.

"That's exciting and it's what senior night is all about," he said.

With the regular season wrapped up, the Lions will take the next few days to - as Pocock put it - "recover from the grind of two and a half months of soccer" before getting ready for the UIL playoffs. The Lions bi-district opponent will be the fourth place finisher from District 18, which is currently Frisco Liberty. All the teams from District 18-4A still have one final match to play this Friday so the Lions will be eagerly awaiting the results of those games.

After the Tuesday night's game, the Lions gathered in a circle on the field and celebrated their undefeated season and broke out in a team chant of "Who's done? Nobody!" before walking off the field.

"I think that the momentum is good to carry over and we have the leaders to make sure everyone is on the right path," Hamiti said. "It's always good to win your last game before you go into playoffs and hopefully we can take care of business first round."

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