By Francisco Gonzalez
Earlier this season, senior Tresor Mbuyu was nominated for Top Drawer Soccer All American team and put on the watch list. On Friday October 24 he was officially named All American, making him the first All American at Garinger and the only player from North Carolina to be on the All American team for 2014. On Sunday December 7 the NSCAA, the official national soccer coaches association, also named Mbuyu “All American.”
“It wasn’t a surprise for me” said David Garrett, the Garinger varsity soccer coach, “Tresor is one of the best players I’ve seen… his passion and dedication make him what he is.”
Mbuyu had an outstanding season, beating his records from his previous season. Last season Mbuyu was all conference, all state, the Charlotte Observer’s Player of the year and had a total of 34 goals. This year Mbuyu earned All conference, All Region, All State, Charlotte Observer player of the year again and All American for Top Drawer Soccer and the NHSCAA. He scored 56 goals in his favor, making him the top scorer in the state.
“Its an honor to be nominated for All American and without my teammates I would have never made it to where I am this season.” Mbuyu takes great pride in his team, he said he knows its not just the individual achievements but the team effort that counts.
The Wildcats made it to the third round of playoffs this year, the furthest any Garinger soccer team has ever made it. This being Mbuyu’s senior year, he hoped to win a state championship.Although the wildcats season came to a tragic end, as they lost 3-0 to the now state champions Reagan High, Mbuyu said he is proud of what they accomplished.
“I just wanted to finish the season off strong,” he says. With his high school season over and college recruiters on the hunt for Mbuyu, he says he hopes to be in college next year (he has a few offers already), continuing to do what he does best which is “playing the beautiful game of soccer.”
The Rambler 