As the CBC soccer team prepared for penalty kicks against Howell North on Monday night, senior defender A.J. Cochran volunteered to take the first shot. After converting, he told Cadets coach Terry Michler that it was his first career penalty kick.
"A year ago, even though A.J. was our most dependable player, that's something you never would've seen,'' Michler said after the Cadets' 1-0 season-opening victory. "But this year, as a senior, he's ready to step up and take on that added responsibility, and that's great to see.''
A third-year starter and a returning Post-Dispatch All-Metro second-team selection, Cochran enjoyed a busy and productive summer. Not long after committing to the University of Wisconsin, he and his St. Louis Scott Gallagher Academy teammates were competing in a showcase event in Florida when Cochran caught the eye of the U.S. Under-18 National Team coaches.
Cochran, 17, ended up with the team for a four-game stint in Argentina.
"You keep telling yourself not to be nervous, but there were plenty of butterflies the first time I practiced and played with the U.S. team,'' the 17-year-old said. "We played two local teams as well as Bolivia and Chile, and it was an incredible experience. I started two of the four games and saw quite a bit of playing time. Everything at that level is so much quicker, but I adjusted and felt like I competed pretty well.''
From the first day of tryouts in early August, Michler sensed a difference in Cochran.
"An experience like that can change a player and his view of the game,'' the coach said. "Now that A.J. has gone through that, he understands what it takes to play at that level and what he needs to do going forward. A.J. is a seasoned high school player, a guy who's ready for the next level. But, as I've told him, the work he puts in now is work that will pay off for him in college and beyond.''
At 6 feet 2 and 185 pounds, Cochran has been a force in the CBC backfield since the opening game of his sophomore season. The strongest part of his game is in the air, but he also reads the game and is working to improve his distribution.
"For bigger guys, especially at the higher levels, it's sometimes difficult to adjust to the quickness of the game,'' Michler said. "But A.J.'s worked hard to improve in that area. He's improved his positioning and his anticipation and is getting better at stepping in front of passes and then moving the ball quickly so that we can counter-attack.''
One of several key players back for the defending Class 3 state champs, Cochran is confident the Cadets can make a run at another title this fall.
"We graduated some outstanding players and team leaders, but we still have a lot of talent here,'' he said. "As long as we listen to our coaches and continue to work hard and play as a team, we know we can have another great season.''
postseason schedule
District action in Missouri will run from Oct. 30 through Nov. 6; state competition will be held in Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton on Nov. 19-20.
In Illinois, Class 1A regionals will begin as early as Oct. 11; the state tournament, at North Central College in Naperville, is scheduled for Oct. 29-30. The Class 2A and 3A regionals will open Oct. 15, with state slated for Nov. 5-6.
