Forgue is Inquirer soccer player of the year

A seemingly endless party of a season took place at Downingtown West as the boys' soccer team won the Ches-Mont League championship, the District 1 Class AAA title, and the PIAA Class AAA crown.

With their heads bowed, opponents from all over the state witnessed the celebration firsthand. They also witnessed an individual performance that left them awestruck.

Sure, Joe Sales, Chris Harmon and Travis Cantrell tortured goalkeepers. Yes, coach John Hatt constantly made great decisions.

But it was Brian Forgue who served as the catalyst as the Whippets rolled to a 26-1 record.

Not only was the senior central defender an extension of Hatt on the field, but the Penn State recruit also was an annoying presence to opposing would-be scorers.

Getting past Forgue was harder than getting around a brick wall.

The three-year starter routinely outsprinted, outmuscled and outplayed everyone else. More often than not, Forgue took the ball away as opponents tried to score.

As a result, he earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas all-America honors for the second consecutive season. Forgue is also The Inquirer's Southeastern Pennsylvania boys' soccer player of the year.

"Since Brian has been a varsity player, our record is 69-5-2," Hatt said. "That says a lot. He brings a lot every day. He refuses to let our team get scored on."

Forgue also refuses to take all the credit for the Whippets' success.

"It's not just that one player," he said. "There's 11 guys out on the field at one time, and we all put in the work at practice and the preseason.

"For one person to take all the credit and glory, that's not the way it goes."

Still, many soccer fans have said the area's best player turned a good Downingtown West team into a great one.