Jack Kainer – Athlete of the Week – September 27, 2019
The Dolphins have developed a reputation for a unique brand of soccer at the high school level throughout the last several years. Cape Henry affectionately refers to “their” style of play as total futbol- an homage to the European and South American brand of soccer. Encompassing all aspects of the beautiful game, this week’s Athlete of the Week, senior captain Jack Kainer, acts as the glue for the two-time Division I State Champion Dolphins. Leading with his play and selfless desire to win, Jack Kainer has led the Dolphins to a #2 DI State Ranking as the Dolphins currently boast an 8-1 record to begin the season.
“Jack personifies our ubiquitous approach, which is based on the concept of total futbol,” Head Coach Dave Brun noted of Jack Kainer. “11 players, each technically sound who can pass their way to solve the problem. Defenders are both our last line of defense and the first line of attack. Forwards are the last line of attack and the first line of defense. Jack is a player who can do it all. He can and has played any position on the field and makes his presence felt.”
Kainer’s astonishing technical ability on the ball, his ability to think and react quickly, and his total team approach to soccer has allowed him to rise swiftly through the ranks of Cape Henry Collegiate soccer. Beginning his Varsity Soccer tenure as a Sophomore, Jack was a mainstay from the outset. While moving around the field, displaying his adaptability on the defensive line, defensive midfield, center-forward, and striker, Kainer possesses one of the biggest threats on a soccer pitch: versatility.
Through nine regular-season matchups, the Dolphins’ lone loss came to the #1 DI ranked Saints this past weekend. Through nine games, Kainer has accumulated five goals and two assists while primarily playing on the backline. Three of the five goals have come from outside 30 yards, including an impressive free-kick from nearly 35 yards out. When the team needed him the most, Jack stepped up and led the Dolphins to a 2-1 record on the weekend with a berth in the Menno Classic Finals on Saturday.
“He got us going again on Saturday morning with the first goal versus Virginia Episcopal,” Coach Brun continued of Kainer. “We were in an offensive lull against STAB, then Jack came out the back and hit a bomb to break the score open. He capped off the night with a goal in the last minute from the forward position, dribbling five players inside the box.”
With his stellar play carrying the Dolphins to the Finals on Saturday, Jack earned a spot on the All-Tournament team alongside teammates Connor Garrison and Trevor Kidd. With many weapons on the pitch at all times for Cape Henry, Jack has been instrumental in keeping the momentum and picking up the team’s play in the moments the Dolphins struggle to find the back of the net.
“It has been a strange year on the field. At times it looks like we will not score on the day, then we score, then we pour in three more in three minutes. Ending nearly all of the scoring droughts on the season, Kainer consistently pulls through when we need him to,” Coach Brun finished of Jack Kainer.
Jack and the Dolphins have sights set on a third straight TCIS and DI State Soccer title in 2019, and through nine games, the Dolphins appear to be on track. Primarily due to the solid play of Jack Kainer day-in and day-out, the second-ranked Dolphins will have a shot at redemption tonight. The Dolphins are set to travel to Richmond to take on the Saints from #1 St. Christopher’s tonight for the second meeting this season.
