CFHS grad Pete contributing to Football Club Hasenthal

By JOE SOVA/Hungry Horse News

Former Columbia Falls High School soccer standout Cory Pete is making good use of his time while attending Moorpark College in southern California. He is getting lots of playing time with FC Hasenthal, a soccer club in the Conjeco Valley, about 40 miles west of Los Angeles.

Pete played left back, a defensive position, on the Hasenthal No. 2 team that completed its season by winning the 2008 Cup Championship on June 1, defeating CSC76 Wanderers 4-1 in the title match. To cap the regular season, FCH earned a 3-1 win over league champion Crown and Anchor.

"When we field our best team we usually win," FCH head coach Eric Warner said Tuesday.

FCH was established in 2005 as a non-profit amateur club. It's mission is two-fold: to prepare players for professional football (Major League Soccer); and to prepare our players to participate responsibly and respectfully in society.

Warner said Pete, in his first year with FCH, was converted to the left back position since he's left footed.

"That's always a plus," the coach said. "He's definitely a standout player. When he has his confidence he can play with anybody. He's a great kid. He's very respectful (of opponents)."

Warner said Pete will benefit from having played with some MLS players.

"That's the best benefit he'll get out of it," Warner said.

Now, Pete is on the roster of the FCH No. 1 team, which plays from May through July. The No. 1 is basically a tournament team that plays with Division I college rules, according to Warner. Then Pete returns for his second year on the Moorpark College soccer team in the fall.