Feely keeps Gilbert Christian on winning path with 3A state title
Jay Feely was determined to not let Gilbert Christian’s girls soccer team go through another long off-season as it had in 2019.
After going undefeated at 13-0 heading into last season’s 3A state quarterfinal, the Knights went into a nail-biting sudden death after a 4-4 tie in regulation against Fountain Hills and ultimately lost to penalty kicks, 4-3.
“That left a bad taste with everyone,” Feely said.
Riding a wave of success to come up so short of an elusive first state championship appearance was too much to bear.
Feely turned up Gilbert Christian’s intensity and camaraderie in 2020 to redeem itself and win the school’s first girl’s soccer state title since he helped start the school’s girls program in 2015, after completing a 14-year career as an NFL placekicker, including four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He still works NFL broadcasts for CBS.
“This year our motto was ‘Finish.’ Finish every drill, every practice, every game this season.” Feely said. “Our girls committed to doing anything I asked, and they loved and encouraged each other along the way.
“It was an absolute joy and honor to be their coach.”
Led by its All-Arizona Girls Player of the Year finalist Hannah Burke and Best of the Rest selection Landyn Lovelady, Gilbert Christian finished the job by completing its best record in program history (18-1) and capped off its 16-game win streak with the state title victory over Sahuarita.
Feely is quick to credit others for being named the 2020 Arizona Republic girls high school soccer Coach of the Year
It took every day and every Knight behind him on the sideline for his team finish on top, he said.
“I certainly couldn’t have done it without my two assistants Hector Orellana and Chris Jones,” Feely said. “They balanced my intensity and ran practice when I was away with CBS I’m most proud of the way our girls competed, prayed with teams after our games and showed their faith through everything they did.”