Three keys to Station Camp soccer's second Class AAA championship

The Station Camp boys soccer team became one of just six schools in TSSAA history to win back-to-back state titles in the organization's largest classification. Here’s a look back at the Bison’s 2018 championship campaign.

Spreading the wealth

While only a handful of Bison carried the scoring load en route to securing the school’s first TSSAA team championship in 2017, Station Camp spread the scoring wealth considerably more this past season.

It was a good thing, too, as the team’s top goal scorer from 2017 — junior Tyler Jessen, who hyperextended his knee in the team’s season-opening win over Division II-AA quarterfinalist Montgomery Bell Academy — was less than 100 percent or unavailable altogether for much of the season.

Instead of the team-leading 31 goals he poured in as a sophomore, the 2017 TSWA all-state selection tallied just nine. Others stepped up to fill the void, though.

“This year we knew we had a roster,” Station Camp coach Thomas Morand said. “We just worked really hard, were never complacent and were a real team from top to bottom. This is the most talented roster I’ve had."

Senior Atakelti Gebregzabher finished with a team-leading 16 goals and provided seven assists for Station Camp, while fellow midfielders Christian Sanchez (15 goals) and Riley Indermuehle (10 goals) helped carry the load despite dealing with lesser injuries.

Defensive minded

The Bison averaged nearly three goals per game en route to their second consecutive Class AAA title. Their offensive attack wasn’t nearly as prolific as it was in 2017, though.

Instead, the squad relied much more on a stingy defense.

“We don’t sub often,” Morand said of his defense. “Once we find a group, we just stick with them, and they have been unbelievable this year.”

Senior goalkeeper Alex Sanchez posted 13 shutouts on the season, while the Bison’s back line, led by senior Stone Bresnahan, limited eight others to a single goal.

Region 2-AAA champion Farragut, Region 5-AAA champion Hendersonville and Division II-AA runner-up McCallie were the only in-state foes to score more than one goal against the Bison. Station Camp topped Fort Gibson (Okla.) 4-3 at the Smoky Mountain Cup in March.

Strong senior class

Last week’s championship win over Blackman marked the end for six Station Camp seniors — a group that has lifted the relatively young program to unprecedented heights.

The Bison’s six-member senior class, consisting of Bresnahan, Grebregzabher, Geovanni Balderas, Caden McGranaghan, Alex Sanchez and Christian Sanchez, compiled a remarkable 93-6-4 record.

The group won four district championships and three region titles (2015, 2016, 2017), and it made three state tournament trips, claiming Class AAA championships in their final two trips.

Gebregzabher, a two-star prospect according to Top Drawer Soccer and one of five nominees for The Tennessean’s 2017 boys soccer player of the year award, has signed to further his career at Memphis. 

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8026, and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.