Ninety-two goals, 46 assists, three consecutive state championships. Not a bad resume for a prep soccer star.
For as gaudy of numbers as Archbishop Murphy senior forward Matt Williams produced during his four years as a Wildcat, and for all the awards and state titles won, what made his senior year so special, in the eyes of himself and his coach, wasn’t his ability to shine brightest under the spotlight. It was his willingness and desire to share it with his teammates.
During Archbishop Murphy’s season-opener against East Valley Yakima, the need for Williams to get his teammates involved became evident to both himself and Wildcats coach Mike Bartley.
“Everyone thought if they stopped Matt, they’d stop the team,” Bartley said. “That’s when he realized he needed to bring the team with him. He was drawing a lot of double teams and even triple teams.”
A consummate team player who’s played with many of his Wildcats teammates since elementary school, Williams has always attempted to prop up his teammates, but this year it became a necessity.
Archbishop Murphy beat East Valley Yakima 1-0 in its first match, and Williams was held scoreless. Two-and-a-half months later in the 2A state championship against the same East Valley club, the Wildcats won 8-0. Williams had a hat trick, and the senior showcased his inclusive style of play.
Williams finished his senior year with a single-season school record 37 goals and 19 assists, breaking the previous record of 35 goals, which he set his junior year. For another brilliant season, Williams has been selected The Herald’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
“I never really focus on the stat sheet, but at the end of the season it’s pretty cool to see how many (goals) I racked up,” Williams said, “but I couldn’t have done it without the people beside me. I just wanted to make sure everyone felt involved and played a role on the team.”
On the field Williams did so by operating as the team’s point man on the attack. Williams displayed a tremendous ability to play and distribute with his back to the goal. He’d get the ball, draw a crowd, show outstanding footwork and find open teammates.
“Every time he touched the ball, the crowd would ooh and ahh,” Bartley said. “He is capable of scoring any way possible. Get the ball to Matt in the attacking third, you can’t take your eye off him because you don’t want to miss something he might do.”
Off the field, Williams led by example. Sure he’s been blessed with natural talent, but he’s earned all the accolades that have come his way. Bartley billed him as the most fit player on the team and one of the last players everyday to leave training.
In pregame meetings Williams would implore his teammates to work hard off the ball so he could set them up with scoring chances, and anytime he got the opportunity, Bartley said, Williams made sure to acknowledge his teammates in postgame interviews.
“I honestly feel like I wouldn’t have the stats or be in the position I am without these guys,” Williams said. “If anyone was plugged into the same position, they would do the same if given the supporting cast I have had.”
Perhaps a little too modest, but one thing is for certain. There is no denying the 22-0 season Williams ended his career on. That team achievement will not be forgotten anytime soon, and Williams played a paramount role in that success.
“The whole ride from sophomore year to this year has been pretty amazing,” Williams said. “Everyone became friends along the way. (The title game) was one of the coolest moments for sure, maybe the funnest I’ve ever had.”
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