Boys’ Soccer Preview

Posted: March 12, 2014
By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI

Sherando honorable mention all-state selections Andrew Wade (left) and Tommy Buono (5) should keep the defending Northwestern District champion Warriors formidable despite losing 13 seniors. (Photo by Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star)

WINCHESTER — Descriptions like “loaded” and “senior-laden” show that opposing coaches figure the Millbrook boys’ soccer team should be pretty strong this year.

Pioneers coach Keith Kilmer said the proper respect must be paid to their Northwestern District rivals though.

“The team to beat is Sherando,” Kilmer said. “They won the title last year, and they’ve got what we want. Locally I think it should be very competitive between us, Sherando and Handley.”

Though a Pioneers team with nine seniors and eight returning starters — including five All-Northwestern District selections — has lofty goals, Sherando’s strong bloodlines could keep it formidable yet again.

The Warriors lost 13 seniors from last year’s Northwestern District regular season and tournament championship team, a group that featured all-state selections Rodrigo Casteriana (a goalkeeper who earned Winchester Star Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year honors) and forward Cade Petty. Last year’s veteran squad very nearly earned a state berth, falling to eventual state semifinalist Tuscarora in the regional semifinals.

But the Warriors do return four returning starters last year’s team — and add three of their younger brothers.

Junior forward Tommy Buono (13 goals, six assists) and junior midfielder Andrew Wade (five goals, nine assists), both honorable mention all-state selections, will be joined on the varsity by freshmen Sean Buono and Seth Wade, both of whom could make an immediate impact. Senior Austin Wernecke will play in the middle of Sherando’s defense this year after taking on multiple roles last year, and he’ll be joined by junior Tanner Wernecke.

Senior defender Andrew Mullan rounds out Sherando’s returning starters, and it will be the play of the back that will once again be key to Sherando’s hopes. (Junior Kevin Riley is expected to take over in goal this year.) The Warriors only surrendered 15 goals last year.

“We’re replacing some strong players, so we’ll have to see how we come together back there,” Anderson said. “But it’s a hard-working group.”

The Warriors won’t be able to let up if they want to hold off Millbrook in the Northwestern District. Kilmer said his Pioneers — the only district team to qualify for regionals each of the last three years — couldn’t be more focused to take a step forward as a program.

Millbrook still has yet to win a regional game, and the Pioneers season has ended in the Region II first round with losses in penalty kicks to Park View on their home field the last two years.

“The guys are very bitter as to how the season has ended the last two years, and they don’t want to see that happen again,” Kilmer said. “We’ve got some lofty goals this year. Making it to regionals is not our goal.”

Of course, the only place to go after regionals is the state tournament, and the Pioneers’ experience and depth could help them make a strong postseason run.

Seniors Nick Kilmer and Tyler Anderson (four goals, seven assists, honorable mention all-state) and junior Cal Lockley anchor the defense. Headlining Millbrook’s attack is senior forward Shane Moyer (14 goals, nine asssists, honorable mention all-state), and senior midfielders Perry Roberson (six goals, 10 assists), Santi Sanchez (six goals, four assists), Nathan Burgreen and Esteban Melivilu and Keystone Academy transfer David Myers, a sophomore forward.

This year marks the first in the Virginia High School League’s new six-classification system, and postseason competition will begin with conference tournaments. The top two teams in each conference will move on to their respective region tournaments, and the top two teams in each region will move on to the state final four.

James Wood, Millbrook and Sherando will be grouped in Conference 21 of the Group 4A North Region along with Dominion, Heritage, Loudoun County, Park View and Woodgrove.

At James Wood, head coach Matt Dunsmore has to make up for the loss of a lot of firepower with the graduations of Jon Henriques, Michael Carter, Tommy Houser and Matt Rader (a combined 27 goals and 30 assists).

Dunsmore said he’ll be relying on his two returning starters, senior forward Dan Schoeman and junior defender Chris Francis, to provide the leadership that an inexperienced group will need.

“It pretty much is a new team,” Dunsmore said. “They’ve got to learn to play together, and the guys have to believe in each other and support each other.”

Handley will be in Conference 23 of the 4A North with Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa County, Amherst County and Harrisonburg.

Given the past success of the teams in their conference, Handley head coach Cosmo Balio said the Judges’ road to a potential region berth should be just as difficult as it will be for their district brethren in Conference 21.

The Judges return just four starters and lost two big ones in Ismael Trejo and Ryan Coyne, who combined for 14 goals and 17 assists last year.

But all-district goalkeeper Michael Davis, junior midfielder Jay Fox (four goals, four assists) and senior forward Bishop Ransom (four goals) could help lead a solid, well-rounded group that Balio believes could challenge the likes of Sherando and Millbrook, and anyone else on their schedule.

Because some conferences and districts are taking different approaches to scheduling, some Northwestern schools are playing each other three times, though only two games will count toward the district standings. Conference 21 schools in Frederick County will play each district foe twice next year and each Loudoun County conference foe once for a total of 13 games against common opponents.

Clarke County will be in Conference 35 of the Group 2A East Region with Madison County, George Mason, Strasburg, Stonewall Jackson, Luray and Page County.

While Clarke County will no longer have to compete with traditional power Manassas Park for a spot in the region tournament, it still won’t be easy for the Eagles to make it there now that they’re grouped with Stonewall Jackson out of the Shenandoah District. The Generals beat the Eagles in the Region B quarterfinals last year, and George Mason beat Stonewall Jackson in the Group A state title game.

Though Clarke County has eight players back who saw time as starters last year, it is tasked with trying to replace the production of the area’s two leading scorers in Davey Hardesty (29 goals, 20 assists) and Eric Hoyt (17 goals, 12 assists).

Eagles coach Scott House believes his team’s overall increased speed could pay dividends this year, with two newcomers in junior Japheth Duut and freshman Jamar Jones expected to step in at the forward positions.

House thinks a defense led by goalkeeper Danny O’Donnell (six shutouts) and outside back George Novakowski should be Clarke County’s strong suit, however. Midfielder Anthony Marasco will be counted on to be the team’s playmaker after recording four goals and four assists last season.

The following is a glance at each area team:

Sherando

Coach: Pat Anderson, 21st year.

Last year: 16-2-1 (7-0-1 Northwestern District); district regular season and tournament champions: lost to Tuscarora in Region II semifinals.

Key losses: Rodrigo Casteriana, Cade Petty, Alex Burns, Tanner Ruths, Tylar Clowser, Oscar Correa, Cullen Croson, Collin Ellias, Jason Lee, Baylen McCarthy, Tyler Morris, Will Tatum, Josh Wagner.

Top returning players: Forward/Midfielders — Tommy Buono, Jr.; Andrew Wade, Jr.; Austin Wernecke Sr.; John Flanagan, Sr., Tommy McVey, Sr., Charlie O’Connell; Defenders — Rhett Morris, Jr.; Andrew Mullan, Sr.

Key newcomers: Forwards/midfielders — Jake Adams, Jr., Drew Berman, Jr., Sean Buono, Fr., Luis Castaneda, Sr., Nic Craig, Fr.; Jov Hall, Jr.; Nathan Pinto, Jr. Seth Wade, Fr.; Tanner Wernecke, Jr.; Defenders — Jack Flanagan, So.; Zach Wagner, Jr.; Goalkeepers — Kevin Riley, Jr.; Sean Markland, Sr.

Anderson’s outlook: “We’re just going to see how we progress with so many new faces. Hopefully the guys can come together. Andrew is going to set the tempo for us and control the pace in the midfield.”

Opener: Monday at Potomac Falls, 7:30

Millbrook

Coach: Keith Kilmer, 5th year.

Last year: 11-7 (5-3 Northwestern District); lost to Park View in Region II first round.

Key losses: Edwin Trujillo, Carlos Sosa.

Top returning players: Nick Kilmer, Sr. D; Tyler Anderson, Sr. D; Cal Lockley, Jr. D; Esteban Melivulu, Sr. M; Perry Roberson, Sr. M; Nathan Burgreen, Sr. M; Santi Sanchez Sr. M; Shane Moyer, Sr. F; Brian McGuire, So. M; Jonathan Richards, So. F; Rody Diyoka, Jr. M; Tyler Gray Jr. M; Taylor James, Sr. GK.

Key newcomers: David Myers, So. F (transfer from Keystone Academy); Andres Torres, Jr. M (transfer from Park View); Chris Kozlowski, Fr. GK.

Kilmer’s outlook: “I think this team is primed to do something special this year. The boys have put in so much work during the offseason. It’s been that way since they were 5-6 years old. I think our depth is really going to help us. Hopefully we won’t have injuries and illness, but if we do it shouldn’t slow us down that much.”

Opener: Monday vs. Broadway, 7:30

Handley

Coach: Cosmo Balio, 9th year.

Last year: 6-8-1 (4-3-1 Northwestern District); lost to Millbrook in district semifinals.

Key losses: Ismael Trejo, Ryan Coyne, Phil Stewart, Carter Levinson.

Top returning players: Michael Davis, Sr. GK; Keegan Schieve, Sr. M/D; Jack Ricci, Sr. M; Redmond Spencer, Sr. M; Omar Trejo, Sr. F; Jay Fox, Jr. M; Nestor Castillo, Jr. M; Cole Stevens, Jr. GK; Jesus Trejo, So. F; Rosser Sirbaugh, So. D; Seth Bridgeforth, So. F; Bishop Ransom, Sr. F.

Key newcomers: Jason Rivera, Sr. D; Joseph White, Jr. M/D; Mason Au, Jr. D; Norman Au, So. D; Hardel Santos, So. M; Sabre Ali, Fr. M.

Balio’s outlook: “It’s an inexperienced team that’s kind of an unknown, for our staff as well as the other teams in the area. There will be a big learning curve this year. But I also think if we’re playing right, we can take [a game] against any team we play.”

Opener: March 20 at Charlottesville, 4:30

James Wood

Coach: Matt Dunsmore, 2nd year.

Last year: 7-10-1 (3-5 Northwestern District); lost to Sherando in district semifinals.

Key losses: Michael Carter, Tommy Houser, Matt Rader, Jon Henriques, Ryland Williams, Brandon Jones, Cameron Frye.

Top returning players: Luke Farinholt, Sr., M; Dan Schoeman, Sr., F; Skyler Newlin, So. F; Colin Watts, So. M; Chris Francis, Jr. D.

Key newcomers: Trent Kite, So. D; Daniel Sabia, Fr. D; Aidan Houser, Fr. M; Christian Marchelewski, Sr. F; Michael McLean​​, Jr. M; ​Cole Morris, So. GK; Alec Hager, So. D; Liam Ebert, Fr. M.

Dunsmore’s outlook: “Because this team is so young, they’re going to have a couple of years to play together. We want to be better every game. We want to be a better unit, a better team.”

Opener: Tuesday at Spotswood, 7:30

Clarke County

Coach: Scott House, 4th year.

Last year: 12-7-1 (9-4-1 Bull Run District); lost to Stonewall Jackson in Region B quarterfinals.

Key losses: Davey Hardesty, Eric Hoyt, Theodore Biddle-Snead, Brett Manahan.

Top returning players: Danny O’Donnell, Sr. GK; George Novakowski, Sr. D; Jacob Rogers, Sr. D; Levi Mayo, Jr. D; Kendall Wallace, Sr. D; Anthony Marasco, Sr. M; Isaac Weintz, So. M; Andrew Walraven, Sr. M; Ian Dors, So. M.

Key newcomers: Javier Vila, Jr. M; Japheth Duut, Jr., F; Jamar Jones, Fr. F; Colton Botts, So. M; Charles Moore, So., M; Chase Fletcher, So. M; Christian Plummer, So. M; Seth Mayo, Fr. GK; Henry Leta, So. D; Keaton Leta So. D; Jacob Peterson, So.. M.

House’s outlook: “I think Jacob Rogers, Levi Mayo and Kendall Wallace are really going to help Danny and George in the back and make us a strong defensive team. Anthony Marasco has a lot of athleticism and skill, and we expect big things from him this year. Jamar Jones has excellent speed and ball control.”

Opener: March 21 at William Monroe, 7

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