Highlighting spring sports: Boys' Soccer

James Wood

Seniors: Jamie King, defender; Jon Davet, midfielder; Luke Esparza, midfielder; Mark Perkins, forward; James Cornwell, defender/midfielder; Ethan Russell, goalkeeper.

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After James Wood went 10-6-1 last year, King was hoping the Colonels could win a district title this year with the addition of NCAA Division I soccer players Russell (Mount St. Mary’s) and Cornwell (George Mason). Russell was playing for the Colonels for the first time since he was a freshman and Cornwell had transferred from Mountain View Christian Academy.

“We were picking up speed last year, and I could see the potential we had in our scrimmages [against Strasburg and Clarke County],” King said. “It just kind of sucks we didn’t get to go all out and see what we could really do.”

King got a sense of how special the season could be long before preseason practice in February. King said James Wood went to a team camp at California University of Pennsylvania over the summer.

“It really bonded our team,” King said. “The atmosphere is serious but light-hearted at the same time. It’s a good mix of enjoying yourself and working hard.”

King said he appreciates not just the seniors on the soccer team, but the school’s entire senior class.

“People dress up for Spirit Week, go out to football games,” King said. “Everyone supports each other. It was really fun and cool to be a part of.”

King — who will major in marketing management at Virginia Tech and will probably try out for the school’s club soccer team — was glad he got to be a part of the Colonels’ soccer team.

“It’s been my life for the past four years,” King said. “I look forward to every practice, every game. I loved seeing my teammates become some of my best friends.”