NWD BOYS' SOCCER PREVIEW

WOOD HAS TARGET ON ITS BACK
Colonels know defending their title will not be an easy task

March 16, 2012
By Robert Stocks

WINCHESTER- Coming off an unprecedented season that saw James Wood sweep the Northwestern District regular season and tournament titles for the first time, the Colonels would love nothing more than to repeat that feat again.

The Colonels' emergence last year in the district gave the team a storybook season, capping the district year by beating Sherando on penalty kicks in the district semifinals and then edging Millbrook 2-1 in the tournament final.

James Wood lost four starters, but the Colonels, led by senior midfielder Spencer Marfing (nine goals and a school-record 12 assists), return plenty of experience from last year's district championship squad.

Coach Chris Hild knows the Colonels face a tough challenge as the team to beat this year

"That's a position we've never been in so it's kind of hard to speak about," said Hild, whose team went 5-2-1 in the district last year. "I don't like having that target on my back. The team that does have the target usually doesn't succeed, but hopefully we can overcome that. I think [our] players are going to be up for it." Handley and Millbrook both went 4-2-2 in the district last season, and the Pioneers return a deep and talented lineup led by first team All-Northwestern District senior Mark Guntle (11 goals, nine assists).

The Pioneers must replace Northwestern District Player of the Year Chris Barrette, but Millbrook still returns a 21-man roster with plenty of depth.

"The past two years in a row we've had the district player of the year and he's been a senior - last year with Chris [Barrette] and Ryan Runion the year before," Kilmer said. "But my biggest concern is getting my quality guys playing time. I've got 21 guys and I've never had that many. Getting those guys their earned time is going to be challenging, but it's a great problem to have."

Sherando finished 4-3-1 in district, putting all three Frederick County teams and Handley within three points of each other in the final standings.

"I think our district can go to anybody right now," Kilmer said. "It's wide open. I think it can go anyway depending on the given day. It's going to be the team that shows up consistently is the one that will walk away with it all."