GLENDALE—On Thursday, November 13, as the sun set on the Glendale Sports Complex soccer field, the Ferrahian Armens wrapped up a near perfect varsity soccer season by defeating Le Lycee High School in the finals 2-1.
Coming into the 2014 season, the Armens were favored to win the CIF International League as last year’s champions. A repeat was in sight but the Armens faced a tough challenge as they had to beat the only team they hadn’t defeated during the regular season. The Armens boasted a league best 12 wins, one draw and one loss. The one draw and one loss were both against Le Lycee.
The Armens faced San Gabriel Academy in the semifinals, brushing the latter off in an impressive 4-0 dominant showing. The path to the final appeared to be easier than last year. In the 2013 season, the Armens limped into the playoffs as a four seed but completed the Cinderella story by beating Alex Pilibos in the semis and San Gabriel Academy in the finals.
This year’s final was a much-anticipated one for both teams. As the referee blew his whistle to start the game, both teams came at each other with intensity and resolve. The Armens were the first on the scoreboard and they went into halftime ahead 1-0. In the second half, the opposition scored to even the scoring, but within five minutes, the Armens struck once again to give themselves the lead for the second time. In a heated rest of the game, the Armenians survived an onslaught by the French and when the final whistle blew, the roar of the crowd signified that the Armens were repeat champions. The hard work and determination put in by the soccer team led by their coach Arshag Markarian had paid off.
As proud parents and supporters rushed the field in jubilation, the team celebrated in utter joy. A memorable sight it was as the Armens were champions once again.
Go armens