Father-son duo helps Canterbury School boy’s soccer win state championship

Reporter: Andrea Guerrero Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Canterbury Cougars celebrate the 2021 2A boy’s soccer title. Credit: Full Circle Productions.

It’s been a decade since Canterbury School boys’ soccer won a state title. Those bragging rights have returned in part because of a father and son’s shared goal.

We spoke to head coach Kevin Schonsee Friday after the boy’s soccer team won the 2A State Championship the day before. He says he mainly led the team so he could be close to his son.

Head coach Kevin Schonsee addresses the Canterbury Cougars boy’s soccer team. Credit: Full Circle Productions.

A little boy’s love of soccer changed a dad’s life.

The boy is Sam.

The dad is Kevin.

Together, the Schonsees helped lead Canterbury School to a state championship game and ultimately a victory.

“The regional, the district and state championship trophy,” coach Schonsee exclaimed.

Because Sam Schonsee loved soccer, Kevin learned the game and got into coaching. He took over at Canterbury a year ago, and this season, the Cougars are champions.

“It’s been a decade since anyone in our part of the state has been able to do this, and the boys put a tremendous amount of effort into it to bring the trophy back down here for us,” coach Schonsee said.

Sam did his part by scoring two goals in the championship game against St. Johns Country Day School, making the championship moment all the more meaningful for the Schonsee boys.

“Pretty indescribable, honestly. I was overwhelmed by the moment,” coach Schonsee said.

“So much adrenaline and so much joy just feeling like we did it,” Sam said. “We accomplished our goal that we had all season. It was amazing.”

The Schonsees are not the first father-son championship duo at Canterbury School. A couple years ago baseball coach Frank Turco and his squad took a state title, and his son Trennan was on the winning team.

At Canterbury School in 2021, another son understands what it’s like to share a love of the game and a big victory with his dad.

“He’s a role model for me too,” Sam said. “He puts 100% in everything he does, so I mean to think that, just a few years ago, he started getting into soccer and he’s accomplished things that most people can’t do in their lifetime, it’s incredible.”

The Canterbury Cougars boy’s soccer team appear together with the 2021 2A title.

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