Central Magnet soccer bids farewell to CPA with another state tournament loss

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Central Magnet's Elijah Barritt passes the ball during Tuesday's A-AA state quarterfinal loss to CPA.

Central Magnet School boys soccer coach Ray Bennett stood on the field after his team's 2-0 loss to Christ Presbyterian Academy in the first round of the Class A-AA state soccer tournament quarterfinals.

It didn't take long for him to ponder the first question he was asked after the elimination game.

Is he glad to be rid of CPA? Apparently not.

"Now I guess I'll try to schedule them in the regular season," said Bennett, of CPA, which will be participating in Division II beginning next year.

That may be just fine for Tiger fans and returning players, as long as they never have to play the Lions in the state tournament again.

After all, the past four seasons Central Magnet has reached the state tourney. All four seasons the Tigers have lost to CPA — three in the first round.

"Next year it will be a lot easier for us (at state, should the Tigers get there for a fifth straight season)," said CMS junior Steven Falter. When asked if he was glad to be done with CPA, he added, "Yes I am."

But Bennett has an extra competitive gear. It's a craving that can only be appeased by accomplishing a feat you have been denied thus far.

"I have an innate desire to beat them," said Bennett, whose teams have lost the four state matches by a combined 9-3. "If not, you feel unaccomplished.

Spring Fling: Tuesday's top performers, storylines

"The biggest things in my life, obviously, are my kids and wife. But near the top is (beating) CPA."

Central Magnet won't lose the farm with this year's graduation. Only four seniors will be lost. The team is still on the upswing.

"I feel like we will only be stronger from here," Falter said. "We lose some really good players, but we have a talented group coming back."

CPA players celebrate Tuesday's 2-0 win over Central Magnet in the A-AA state quarterfinals. The Lions move to Division II next season.

With the new district alignment next year, the path to the state might actually be tougher for Central.

But with powerhouses like CPA and Christian Academy of Knoxville moving to DII, the state tournament road should be paved for a deeper run.

TSSAA's Spring Fling schedule

Of course, even if Bennett guides his team to a state title next season, the burning "what if" question regarding CPA will likely still linger.

"I'm intrigued to see how things change without the CAKs and CPAs," Bennett said. "I don't know what the TSSAA is going to do with us not playing CPA in the first round."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

 

Central Magnet's Luis Sanchez (11) battles CPA's Baker Avinger (17) for possession during Tuesday's A-AA quarterfinal contest, won by the Lions 2-0.