Boys' Soccer Preview

“Young, young, young,” were the first words that Sherando head coach Pat Anderson used to describe the team that he will field in his 25th season at the helm this year.

That group includes second team all-state selection Sean Buono (23 goals, seven assists) The Winchester Star and Conference 21 West Player of the Year, and Seth Wade, a 4A West Region second team pick who had 13 goals and 13 assists.

Sherando also no longer has its only first team all-conference defender, Jacob Crowley. Anderson said Crowley, a junior last year, is being home-schooled and is taking most of his classes at Lord Fairfax Community College.

The Warriors do bring back five players with starting experience though. That group is headline by junior goalkeeper Spencer Scott, a second team all-region and first team all-conference selection who posted an area-best eight shutouts and allowed only 0.7 goals per game.

Sherando does feature a returning playmaker in senior midfielder Max Polio (eight goals, nine assists). The Warriors also return junior Nathan Laing (three goals, five assists) and add freshman Ethan Laing, who competed in Germany with his state ODP team last spring and will compete in France this spring. Both are midfielder/forwards.

Millbrook (10-5-2) posted the second most wins among Northwestern District schools last year.

The Pioneers’ three captains, each of whom were first team all-conference selections last year, will provide Millbrook with a strong nucleus — senior forward Paul Blanco (team-high eight goals, three assists), senior defender Zach Hicks (four goals, team-high five assists) and senior midfielder Darin Douglas (three goals, two assists). Sophomore Ronald Velasquez (three goals, two assists) was a second team all-conference selection last year.

James Wood (8-9) knocked off Millbrook in the Conference 21 West first round after being swept by them during the regular season last year.

The Colonels’ losses include all-conference first team selection Aidan Houser as well as star goalkeeper Ethan Russell (area-best 12.1 saves per game, second team all-conference), a sophomore who competed in Spain with a Region I ODP team last spring. Colonels coach Brian Sullivan said Russell is focusing on participating with the Virginia Development Academy program in Woodbridge this season.

James Wood does bring back two second team all-conference players in Xavier Kallash-Kyler (four goals, five assists), a senior midfielder, and sophomore midfielder Paul Ebersole (two goals, one assist).

Handley (6-8-4) finished last season strong, tying Sherando to close the season and beating the Warriors in the Conference 21 West semifinals. Like Sherando and James Wood, Handley also lost its leading scorer to graduation in Saber Ali, a first team all-conference player who had eight goals and five assists.

The Judges will be boosted by having goalkeeper Joel Romero at the season’s outset after he missed most of last year due to injury. Handley’s other returners include first team all-conference midfielder Chris Nerangis (three goals) and second team all-conference pick Tyler Heglas, a defender.

With its state championship, Kettle Run will be an impressive addition to the Class 4 Northwestern District, but the Cougars did lose all four of their all-region selections from last year’s team.

In the Bull Run District, Clarke County brings back its two players who made the All-Conference 35 team and the Bull Run District second team in senior forward Ian Smith (11 goals) and senior defender Dalton Crandall. The Eagles will be without Edwin Villanueva (team-high four assists last year), who suffered an injury in the offseason that will prevent him from playing this year.

The following is a glance at each area team. Roster information and outlook statements are provided by coaches:

Sherando

Head coach: Pat Anderson, 25th year.

Last season: 15-3-1 (7-0-1 Northwestern District); Northwestern District and Conference 21 West regular season champions; lost to Kettle Run in 4A West Region quarterfinals.

Key losses: Sean Buono, Seth Wade, Jacob Crowley, Nic Craig, Jacob Sites, Kameron Chapman, Jonah Pearson, Isaac Prock, Nathan Wagner, Victor Pinto, Forest Limon.

Top returning players: Spencer Scott, Jr. GK; Max Polio, Sr. M; Nathan Laing, Jr. M/F; Mike Leckie, Jr. M; Luke White, Sr. D; Renzo Blasutto, Sr. M; Garrett Garman, Sr. M/D; Kevin Rodriguez, Sr. F; Josh Smith, Sr. D.; Mike Berry, Sr. GK.

Top newcomers: Aidan Turner, Jr. M; Michael Teets, Jr. D; Edwin Perez Alberto, Jr. M; Avery Johnson, Jr. M; Gavin Eanes, Jr. D; Brent Allegra, Jr. M/D; Jon Ames; Jr. GK; Jose Parada, So. F; David Berry, So. M; Christian Arellano, So. M; Ben Rodriguez, Fr. M/F; Jack Hendren, Fr. M; Will Freilich, Fr. M; Wade Butler, Fr. F; Ethan Laing, Fr. M/F.

Anderson’s outlook: “We are very young as a squad. We are focusing on one game at a time. No scrimmages this year so getting time to play together is essential. Entering a new district, which includes 2017 state champions Kettle Run, should make for a very competitive league for all of the teams.”

First game: Today at Brentsville, 7

Millbrook

Head coach: Keith Kilmer, 9th year.

Last season: 10-5-2 (6-2 Northwestern District); lost to James Wood in Conference 21 West first round.

Key losses: Hans Kloo, Kevin Valyear, Chris Kozlowski, Dylan Frederick, Patricio Ramirez, Alex Leanos, Tony Crone, Ryan Arnold, Alex Morris.

Top returning players: Paul Blanco, Sr. F; Darin Douglas, Sr. M; Zach Hicks, Sr. D; Ronald Velasquez, So. M/F; Jake Hansbrough, Jr. D; Sam Nicol, Sr. D; Juan Tovar, So. M/F; Michael Tovar, Jr. M/F; Ayrton Justice, So. D; Malik Perloff, Sr. M/F; Robby Watts, Sr. F.

Top newcomers: Nathan Hersberger, Fr. GK; Ben Curtin, Sr. GK; Ethan Perloff, So. M; Brando Brito Baeza, Jr. D; Roberto Rivera Barrera, So, F; Joel Sherman, Sr. M; Sebastian Gallegos, Sr. M; Austin Brewer, Sr. D; Sean Mennard, Fr. F; Britton Obert, Fr. M; Luis Rivas Zelaya, Sr. F.

Kilmer’s outlook: “With a strong nucleus of returners in the key spots, I think that we should be competitive with most teams this spring. We have some new faces that should come in and fill the voids left by our seniors.”

First game: Today at Warren County, 7:30 p.m.

James Wood

Head coach: Brian Sullivan, 4th year.

Last season: 8-9 (4-4 Northwestern District); lost to Harrisonburg in Conference 21 West semifinals.

Key losses: Aidan Houser, Liam Ebert, Ethan Russell.

Top returning players: Xavier Kallash-Kyler, Sr. M; Paul Ebersole, So. F; Jairo Reyes, So. F; Andrew Tanger, Jr. D; Damon Schneider, Sr. M; Zyven Coffman, Sr. D; Saul De La Cana Barbosa, Sr. D.

Top newcomers: Chris Garcia, Fr. F; James King, So. M; Jon Davet, So. M; Zach Stauzenbach, Jr. D; Hayden Armstrong, Fr. GK; Luke Esparza, So. D.

Sullivan’s outlook: “This is my youngest, and most hardworking team I have coached and we will look to build off of some of the successes we had last year. I have a great group of high character, talented freshman and sophomores and they will look to build chemistry with my returning varsity starters led by Xavier.

“We will be very diverse and skilled in the midfield and have several guys that can, and will, need to score. Finding someone to replace Aidan’s scoring and leadership from last year will be key but I am also excited at the opportunity for a number of these young players to step forward into that role. This team really enjoys going above and beyond, especially this offseason, and I hope that translates onto the field this season.

“We have a very challenging district with the local teams, Millbrook, Sherando and Handley all returning key components to their roster. Playing Kettle Run, Liberty and Fauquier are all tough tests as well but I am really excited about the chemistry and work ethic of this team to see what we can accomplish this season.”

First game: Today at Clarke County, 7 p.m.

Handley

Head coach: Scott Bucey, 2nd year.

Last season: 6-8-4 (2-5-1 Northwesterm District); lost to Harrisonburg in Conference 21 West final.

Key losses: Erik Velasquez, Saber Ali.

Top returning players: Chris Nerangis, Sr. M; Andrew MacIntyre, Sr. M; Tyler Heglas, Sr. D; Joel Romero, Sr. GK.

Top newcomers: None mentioned.

Buce’s outlook: “We are a team with extremely high character and a great group of senior leaders. We are looking to build off of the momentum we established at the end of last season.”

First game: Today vs. Harrisonburg, 4:30 p.m.

Clarke County

Head coach: Patrick Casey, 2nd year.

Last season: 6-12 (5-9 Bull Run District); lost to George Mason in Conference 35 semifinals.

Key losses: Tristan Price, Seth Mayo, Edwin Villanueva.

Top returning players: Ian Smith, Sr. F.; Brandon Mayo So. GK; Zephir Leary, Sr. M; Dalton Crandall, Sr. D.

Top newcomers: Quint Potts, So. D; Justin Toone, Fr. M; Brendan Haun, Fr. F.

Casey’s outlook: “After a strong finish to the end of last season, we are hoping to continue where we left off. We have a group of players that are determined to improve and a lot of young players who are pushing hard for big roles in the team this year.”

First game: Today vs. James Wood, 7 p.m.

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow on Twitter @WinStarSports1