- November 25, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Seabreeze boys soccer head coach Elias Freidus. Photo by Ray Boone
Seabreeze's Nate Thompson passes the ball at practice. Photo by Ray Boone
Sandcrabs keeper Cameron Bowling leaps to stop a ball from entering the net. Photo by Ray Boone
When Elias Freidus steps onto the soccer fields at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex, all the memories come rushing back: The long hours he spent practicing on those very fields when he was a defender for Seabreeze High School’s boys soccer team, all the games they won, and the first state title the Sandcrabs captured in 1992, Freidus’ senior year.
Not once in his past did he ever envision where he is now: Freidus was named the head coach of the boys varsity team following the Sandcrabs’ 1-0 loss to American Heritage in Class 3A state championship game Feb. 24 last season. Then-head coach Nate Murphy, who was moving to a different part of the state with his wife, recommended Freidus, then the junior varsity coach, for the position.
And despite last season’s heartbreaking end, in which the Sandcrabs lost on a last-second goal to the Patriots, that game was still Freidus’ most-beloved memory with the program.
“That was the most heart I’ve ever seen out of this team,” he said. “It was heartbreaking, sure. But I was so proud of the kids at the same time. They put on a show.”
The Sandcrabs’s top three goal scorers from that season — team captain Franco Perez, Jason Collins and Jacob McNeely — all graduated in 2018. However, Freidus’ goal for his first season at the helm will be the same as every Sandcrabs team before him: a state title.
Over 60 kids showed up for tryouts, many of whom are experienced club players. The Sandcrabs also return key pieces in keeper Cameron Bowling, Nate Thompson, Will Crotty — part of a senior class that coaches described as “loaded.”
“He knows the program well. I think he understands our culture, understands the bar we set for these student-athletes. It’s more about being a family. Nate Murphy said that a lot during our state championship run. There’s a certain way to conduct yourself on the field and off the field. We try to get them to live up to that standard every year. It’s become ingrained into the program.”
Seabreeze assistant coach Rob Bowling on new coach Elias Freidus
The coaches don’t quite know yet who will step in to fill the production lost to graduation.
“I wouldn’t tell you even if I did know,” Freidus joked.
But many of the players have already bought in.
“He’s told us a lot of his ideas, and he’s very creative,” Thompson said. “We’re willing to work with him. We’re willing to follow through with his plans to finish out what he wants for us.”
Bowling was in Freidus’ AP Chemistry class last year.
“He’s very intelligent,” Bowling said. “I’m really excited to work with him because I loved him as a teacher, and I think I’m going to love him as a coach.”
Freidus said he doesn’t plan on changing very much — if any- thing — about how the team will be run.
The Sandcrabs had their first practice the night of Monday, Oct. 29. Freidus mostly observed and made quiet corrections while nine-year assistant coach Rob Bowling and fellow assistant coach Jon Kinsler directed a competitive, grueling practice.
“They’ve been coaching these kids for years, so I kind of look to them to know what’s really going on,” Freidus said. “I’m kind of like the new guy. I’ll take care of all the bits and pieces, and they’ll keep running things the way they always have. I don’t want to mess with their success.”
Freidus added that despite stepping into the shoes of a championship-caliber coach, he doesn’t feel like he has anything to prove. Last season’s bitter end is the only motivation.
“When it’s time to play soccer, they’re all business,” he said. “We’re doing something that Ormond Beach can be proud of. I’m just happy to be involved.”
