There is a reason Missouri Military Academy was able to come out firing in its first soccer game on Thursday.
“We’ve got the chemistry that we didn’t have last year,” John Shadonix said, …
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There is a reason Missouri Military Academy was able to come out firing in its first soccer game on Thursday.
“We’ve got the chemistry that we didn’t have last year,” John Shadonix said, following a 4-0 win over Sacred Heart at home in Mexico.
Shadonix, who assisted on a goal in the first half to Long Bui before scoring on an assist from Bui in the second half, said MMA has many returners back from last season. Last year was a solid 10-8 season, but the Colonels were one-and-done in districts.
Sacred Heart was coming off a 17-win season and two district championship seasons before that. However, Shadonix said there were only two newcomers in the starting lineup and the chemistry that carried over helped MMA to be strong in the first game.
“We just play by passing and going forward,” Shadonix said. “Knowing each other and knowing how we play makes it way easier to play.”
Head coach Rodrigo Padilla said he is excited for this year after seeing the team grow with new cadets from Kenya and Korea, for example. He was expecting a fight against this Sacred Heart program, and the togetherness contributed to a 26-3 shot advantage for MMA.
Shadonix returns to the team this year after playing in Texas prior to becoming a Colonel. Padilla said he is like “the conductor” when it comes to passing.
“He does a really good job playing on top,” Padilla said. “He is able to identify patterns, so he sees spots and openings.”
Padilla said MMA’s strong effort started with the effort of the defense. Eric Shellabarger and Emiliano Martinez are not only returners but were on the Colonels’ state runner-up team two years ago. On top of that, Padilla said they are “the two best cadets in the corps” because they hold leadership positions in the battalion.
As for how that translates to the pitch, Padilla said the leadership that they bring is valuable. The focus and chemistry instilled on the defense led by Shellabarger and Martinez is what they demonstrate everywhere.
“These are kids who are also leaders outside of the field,” Padilla said. “It’s something that comes to them naturally. They’ve been playing soccer for so long, so they do a really good job of combining what they learned off the field to keep this team together.”
Wainaina is one of the new players, and Padilla said he brings an interesting skillset from Kenya. Padilla said it took him some time to transition to the school after moving away from home, but gave the Colonels their first goal of the season.
“He has a lot of talent,” Padilla said. “He is a little shy being new to school from another country.”
MMA plays next at 5 p.m. Sept. 8 at Eugene.
“I don't know how far we’re going to go, but they are excited to play,” Padilla said. “The seniors want to make sure they give it their all.”
