Soccer players finish college seasons

By COLE COSGROVE

Associate editor

Chris Baretta, a 2001 Decatur High graduate, finished ranked No. 6 in the nation in assists this season while playing for the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg men’s soccer team.

The team progressed to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament before losing.

Baretta earned first-team All-Peach Belt Conference honors. The conference was rated No. 1 in the nation by nscaa.com.

“We had a very successful year this fall and we expect to be back in the tournament next fall but progress further,” Baretta said.

Will Craig, a 2002 Decatur graduate, wrapped up his freshman year playing for the Harvard University men’s soccer team. The team finished 9-6-1 overall.

Craig played in all 16 games this season, started in 12 and was the only player to not miss a practice or game.

“It was awesome,” Craig said of his first season. “Pre-season wasn’t as difficult as I expected, but mentally, two practices a day can get to you.”

The team finished 9-6-1 overall. It won its first game of the season, but then took a 5-1 beating from Rhode Island.

“That was kind of a turning point,” Craig said. “We could have gone downhill or uphill from there, and we ended up winning five in a row.”

Craig, who plays at outside defender after being a sweeper in high school, said the transition to college soccer went smoothly for him.

“Playing at Decatur was basically like playing on my club team, and playing on my club team definitely helped,” Craig said. “And having coaches like Jimmy McAlister always helps.”

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