5 Patriots named All-Conference – Cvan Than selected All-State

Cvan Than scoring a goal for the Patriots. (Ron Morris)
Share this:

Five Independence soccer players were named to the Southwestern 4A All-Conference Team and Cvan Than was selected to the All-State team for the second consecutive year.

The five Patriots who were named are Cvan Than, Chase Davis, Dino Silva, Ro Lian and Adam Ali.  All players had an excellent season for Coach Tyler Gibson who has changed the entire program at Independence since he has taken over as head coach.

Adam Ali goalkeeper named to SW4A Soccer Team. (Ron Morris)


Cvan Than, the standout for the Patriots who is the single season record holder and all time goal scoring leader for the Patriots in the schools history had another outstanding senior season.  In his junior year Than scored 31 goals, 3 assists for 65 points setting a new program record for scoring.  In his senior year he had 22 goals, 9 assists and 49 points.  In his last two seasons he has set a new scoring record and tied the former record.  In his career he has accumulated 65 goals, 17 assists and 147 points for the Patriots.

Li Rion in action for the Patriots. (Ron Morris)

Chase Davis in 24 games scored 10 goals with 6 assists for 26 points.  Davis continually pushed the ball downfield and was consistently setting up the Patriots offensive attack.  Dino Silva, an excellent defender did an outstanding job at midfield and inside the box to make it difficult for opponents to score on the Patriots.  He contributed 3 goals and 9 assists for 15 points.  Ro Lian, a sophomore in 23 games scored 5 goals and 11 assists for 21 points and contributed to the Patriots potent offense.  While Adam Ali, the senior goalkeeper in 24 games in the net had 10 shutouts, 15 wins, 86 saves while allowing only 22 goals which equates to 0.92 goals allowed per match.

Senior Chase Davis matriculating ball downfield. (Ron Morris)

The Patriots ended the season with an 11-6 overall record and qualified for the 2018 4A State Soccer Championships advancing to the third round before being defeated by Myers Park who eventually lost in the State Championship finals.

Senior Dino Silva in action at home. (Ron Morris)
Share this:



Previous article7th Annual Ann and Bill Litaker Exhibit
Next articleRegistration open for second annual Mint Hill Christmas Light Contest
Ed Berti
Ed is retired and remains active as a freelance writer, local journalist and independent contractor. He is engaged in print and electronic media writing stories covering business, sports, hometown news and veteran's affairs including articles of interest to various media outlets. Ed is a graduate of Wagner College where he earned an MBA and holds a BBA from Pace University.
Ed can be reached at ed@minthilltimes.com, eberti7777@gmail.com and linkedin.com.