The 30th anniversary of two of the greatest soccer programs (until 2018 and 2019) in Conval High history began with unexpected high hopes and ended in heartbreak.
The 1993 team, led by senior Kevin Chevalier’s (pictured) eight goals and 10 assists, wasn’t expected to do much after losing most of the previous year’s squad to graduation. “With 11 seniors, including three all staters graduated, maybe some people didn’t think we’d have much this year,” said Coach Moe LeFlem. “So we’ve been playing with little pressure on us and having lots of fun.”
The ’93 Cougars wound up being the surprise team of Class I (D2), finishing 13-2-1 and in fifth place. In the preliminary round tournament games against Lebanon, however, Conval dominated play but couldn’t break through the Raider’s hot goalkeeper, losing 1-0. The young ’93 Cougars posted eight shutouts, and outscored their opponents by an average of 3-1. Perhaps more than any other team in the state, they came closest to defeating defending champ and nationally ranked Hanover, bowing 3-2 in overtime.
They only wished they could have reserved some of that magic against Lebanon.
Unlike the previous season, however, only four Cougars were seniors in ‘93: Chevalier, plus German exchange student Volker Raabe, goalkeeper Kevin Pipher and midfielder Dennis Croumie. Included in the returnees for ’94 would be Jaime and Brett LeFlem, who were second and third in scoring.
In the golden era of Conval athletics, when the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams both were crowned state champions, the ’94 team soccer team did its best to continue the trend. The Cougars were ranked first in the state at 15-1-0, and won two tournament games before coming up flat in the finals against second-ranked St. Thomas of Dover, 2-0.
Not that the Cougars didn’t have their chances. Jared Butson’s eight-yard smash was smothered by the St. Thomas keeper, Peter Cummings fired just wide, and Joey Hart’s close range header went over the net.
“These guys had a great year,” said Coach LeFlem. “We beat all the best teams in the state, and won as many games as any Conval team, but just came up short.”
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