Boys' soccer preview: Handley, Clarke look to sustain success

The Handley boys’ soccer team didn’t let five forfeited games stop it from having a stellar season in 2023.

With the amount of talent the Judges bring back in 2024, Handley not only looks like a team that should have a better record, but one that’s capable of advancing even further in the postseason.

Handley returns most of its starters, including six of its seven All-Class 4 Northwestern District selections from last year’s team that was one win away from qualifying for the Class 4 state tournament.

The Judges had an official record of 11-8-1 but only lost three times on the field, with each defeat coming against Loudoun County. The last loss came by a 2-1 score in the Region 4C semifinals.

Beating the Captains — who advanced to the state semifinals before losing in a shootout — or anyone else in the talent-rich Loudoun County Public Schools system will no longer be a requirement for local schools to make the state tournament. LCPS schools are in Region 4C, and the Winchester/Frederick County schools have made the move to Region 4D.

That doesn’t mean the path to the state tournament will be easy. Only one school in the seven-team Region 4D North will qualify for the state tournament, and Charlottesville is one of those seven teams. The Black Knights (16-4-2) were the Class 3 state runner-up last year. The top four teams based on winning percentage will make the Region 4D North playoffs.

The Fitzsimmons twins will once again lead the Judges as senior midfielders. Dash was the Class 4 Northwestern District Co-Player of the Year and an All-Region 4C First Team selection in 2023, recording eight assists and five goals in the Judges’ 15 counting games. Jag also made the All-Region First Team and had eight assists and four goals. Senior forward Ramon Diaz-Guzman is back after recording eight goals and five assists to earn Second Team All-Region honors.

Handley’s defense returns All-Region selections Jackson Justice (junior, First Team) and James Fowler (senior, Second Team), junior center back Axel Grimaldo and senior goalkeeper Owen Turnbull. An All-District Second Team selection a year ago, Turnbull ranked second in the area in goals allowed average (0.92). He also posted four shutouts and 6.6 saves per game.

For the first time since 1994, Sherando (9-8-2) will feature someone other than Pat Anderson as head coach. Former Warriors star player Seth Wade, an assistant last year, will take over as head coach.

Sherando will be led by Wade’s younger brother Owen, a senior forward who earned Second Team All-Region 4C honors and tied for fifth in the area with nine assists and tied for sixth with nine goals last year. Wade will play for NCAA Division III Gordon next year.

The Warriors also bring back All-District selections Timmy Hill (Second Team, a junior midfielder with three goals and five assists last year) and senior defenders Noah Smith (Second Team) and Evan Burrell (Honorable Mention).

Millbrook (8-8-1) returns junior midfielder/forward Will Demus (eight goals, six assists, Second Team All-Region 4C), senior defender C.J. Zeller-Bender (Second Team All-Region 4C) and senior forward Hamilton Lopez (six goals, Honorable Mention All-District). Senior midfielder Garrett Johnson is back after a one-season absence. As a sophomore, Johnson ranked fifth in the area with 13 goals, had five assists, and was a Region 4C First Team selection.

James Wood (4-13) brings back three Second Team All-District selections from last year in senior forward Sam Frigaard (four goals, four assists), senior midfielder Chris Viera (three goals) and junior midfielder Seth Rakowski (six goals).

While the Judges are looking for their first state tournament berth since 2018, Clarke County will go for its fourth straight with a team that will look a lot different than last year’s squad, which went 24-1 and saw its 48-game winning streak snapped with a 1-0 loss to Glenvar in the Class 2 title game.

Clarke County’s returning players combined for 48 goals last year, a total most teams are lucky enough to produce in a single season, much less carry over into the next season. (Those players also recorded 50 assists.) But the Eagles lost eight players who combined for 115 goals and 68 assists — including five who earned All-State honors — as well as two-year starting goalkeeper Kyler Darlington.

Winchester Star Player of the Year Leo Morris (19 goals, 15 assists, now at NCAA Division III Ithaca), Chris LeBlanc (28 goals, 13 assists, now playing football at Shenandoah University) and center back Ben Fulmer (10 assists) are graduated All-State selections, and Clarke also lost All-Region pick Oakley Staples (22 goals, seven assists) and Ian Waldner (13 goals, six assists).

Clarke County’s other personnel losses include two First Team All-State seniors in Bull Run District Player of the Year Cal Beckett (25 goals, 12 assists) and midfielder Charlie Frame (eight goals, four assists). Beckett is running track this year and Frame — who has committed to York College of Pennsylvania — suffered an injury and is out for the season.

Though the Eagles bring back 48 goals, their defense might be the strongest part of their team. Senior center back Joseph Ziercher is a two-time All-State selection and one of three returning starters on defense along with senior Wesley Beiler (five goals, seven assists) and junior Emmet Morris (six assists).

Junior midfielder Brody Murphy (four assists) is also back after earning Second Team All-State honors last year. Junior midfielder Jackson Ellis (five goals, nine assists) earned Second Team All-Region 2B honors last year. Senior Caden Mercer (nine goals) is Clarke County’s top returning scorer.

The following is a glance at each area team:

Handley

Coach: Cosmo Balio, 14th season.

Last year: 11-8-1 (7-5 Class 4 Northwestern District); district tournament champions; lost to Loudoun County in Region 4C semifinals.

Key losses: Jonathan Romero, Edgardo Sanchez-Lopez, Bryce Pollak, Anderson Argueta, Oscar Guifarro, Julio Claros-Lozano.

Key returnees: Dash Fitzsimmons, Sr., M; Jag Fitzsimmons, Sr., M; Ramon Diaz-Guzman, Sr., F; Owen Turnbull, Sr., GK; James Fowler, Sr., D; Sebastian Moore, Sr., M; Angel Hernandez, Sr., F; Jackson Justice, Jr., D; Axel Grimaldo, Jr., D; Eniel Cedillo-Ramos Jr., D; Isaac Carter, So., F; Frankie Gomez, So., M; Skip Dickson, So., D.

Key newcomers: Micah Combs, Fr., M; Vladimir Bustamante-Flores, So., F; Juan Jimenez Ramirez, So., M; Aidan King-Miller, So., GK; Finn Slaughter, So., F; Javier Chavez, Jr., D; Moustafa Hassan, Jr., D; Henry Felix, Sr., D.

Balio’s outlook: “Each year is different and the past couple of years we’ve tried to get back to being a consistent Handley team. I feel like we have reached that level now. I’m not going to lie — last year took years off my life. I can laugh about that now, but these returners have proven that they could handle pressure. This year won’t be any different. We know we have a target on our back, but we welcome that challenge. I’d have to say this returning senior group (Dash, Jag, Ramon, James, Owen, Sebastian, Angel) as well as Jack and Axel have impressed us as coaches with their commitment and leadership throughout the preseason. It’s been nice to see their focus in the training sessions. Their voices command respect by the underclassmen and have shown that they are clearly on a mission this year.

“Not having the end-of-the-year NWD Tournament will take some getting used to but I like the new setup because it puts the focus on each and every match throughout the season. I do wish everyone played the same schedule since we are all evaluated the same way to get into the postseason. Just seems fair.”

First game: Tuesday vs. Potomac Falls

Sherando

Coach: Seth Wade, first season.

Last year: 9-8-2 (7-4-1 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Handley in district championship game.

Key losses: Joe Burton (now at NCAA Division I Virginia Military Institute), Brody Purtell, Drew Arnoldy, Owen Grose, Eber Alvarez-Escobar.

Key returnees: Evan Burrell, Sr., D; Nick Danielson, Sr., M; Wesley Pendzich, Sr., D; Connor Sanders (1.95 GAA, 6.7 saves per game, 3 shutouts), Sr., GK; Adam Shobaki, Sr., M; Noah Smith, Sr., D; Owen Wade, Sr., F; Timmy Hill, Jr., M.

Key newcomers: Brayan Osorio Cruz, Jr., M; Henry Knight, Jr., D; Grant Li, Jr., M; Lukas Moezer, So., M; Zachary Pendzich, Jr., M.

Wade’s outlook: “We talk about progress. In 2022, we only had two wins. In 2023, we improved to nine wins. This year, we expect to do better than that tally. It is exciting to be able to play some of the other local schools again (Clarke, Skyline, Warren) in addition to the regular opponents. We know that they are all competitive teams even though they may come from a smaller school. Hopefully we can make it to the postseason and see some new faces from the new region.”

First game: Monday at Millbrook

Millbrook

Coach: Rhonda Cottino, third season.

Last year: 8-8-1 (6-5-1 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Handley in district first round.

Key losses: Tyler Mallen, Logan Arthur.

Key returnees: CJ Zeller-Bender, Sr., D; Chase Hepner, Sr., D; Duvan Herrera, Sr., M; Carter Luden, Sr., M; Garrett Johnson, Sr., M; Hamilton Lopez, Sr., F; Christian Nixon, Sr., F/M; Kyle Arthur, Jr., D; Will Demus, Jr., M/F; Joel Vazquez, Jr., D/M; Brandt Upson (1.46 GAA, 4 shutouts, 6 saves per game), So., GK.

Key newcomer: Ian Melnikoff, Fr., F.

Cottino’s outlook: “I am hoping to see a hard-working group of boys make a comeback from the struggles of last season. The group of seniors as a whole has shown a new level of commitment and drive that makes me excited to come to practice every day. At the end of the day, we are working to win games and to keep this season going as long as we can. I expect a good challenge out of some of the new teams in our region, but I think the boys are looking forward to the challenge. The new structure doesn’t leave much room for error. There’s no time to have a bad game. Like I told my players, we have to hit the gas pedal and not let up for the entire season in order to advance with the new format.”

First game: Monday vs. Sherando

James Wood

Coach: Ronald Velasquez, second season.

Last year: 4-13 (2-10 Class 4 Northwestern District); lost to Sherando in district first round.

Key losses: Joey Cannata, Hunter Barnhart, Brandon Andrade, Trent Rakowski, Jacob Oliver.

Key returnees: Aidan Bell, So., D; Colin Craig, Sr., M; Tyler DeWarf, Sr., D; Tristen Escalona, Jr., M; Colby Fields, Sr., D; Sam Frigaard, Sr., F; Jesus Hernandez-Portillo, Jr., M; Ian Longo, Jr., M; Seth Rakowski, Jr., M; Samuel Sherman (2.6 GAA, 5 saves per game), Jr., GK; Owen Swiger, Jr., M; Chris Viera, Sr., M.

Key newcomers: Daylin Paige, Fr., F; Brayden Pineda, So., F (originally from Winchester, spent his freshman year in Wisconsin); Zachary Myers, Jr., GK; Jacob DeHaven, Jr., M; Logan Bittner, Fr., D; Cody Woodson, Jr., D.

Velasquez’s outlook: “Daylin Paige is a Loudoun ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) player. He’s a good player. He has speed and is very technical. Brayden Pineda is very technical and has good size on him. Adapting them to the high school game in this district is a whole different ballgame. There’s more physicality and aerial balls compared to playing the ball on the ground. Playing travel, they’re maybe used to playing out of the back and possessing the ball more. It will take some getting used for them. Jesus was pulled up from JV for the last few games for us last year. He did very well and is a smart player. He fills the ‘10’ role really well. He’s able to play those through balls into my outside mids and to the strikers.

“We have a lot of experienced players, and that goes a long way in this district, being able to know the game and the style of play that we run. I have some returners who have been stepping up. Owen Swigert, Chris Viera and Colin Craig have been named the three captains for this year, and I like the leadership that they’re putting out there. Colby Fields is probably the hardest-working guy on my team. The attitude with the team, there’s more of a camaraderie, which has been nice to see. The energy’s more positive, and we hope to be able to continue that throughout the season. Last year, we didn’t have the record we strove for. We leaked a lot of goals as far as defensive mistakes. We had plenty of games where we were up first or we’d be up at halftime, and we just couldn’t close it out. Having those guys who are back, and having them be hungry to have a more successful season than what we had last year is great.”

First game: March 15 vs. Clarke County

Clarke County

Coach: Patrick Casey, seventh season.

Last year: 24-1 (14-0 Bull Run District); district regular-season and tournament champions; Region 2B champions; lost to Glenvar in Class 2 state final.

Key losses: Leo Morris, Oakley Staples, Chris LeBlanc, Ben Fulmer, Kyler Darlington, Cal Beckett, Charlie Frame, Ian Waldner.

Key returnees: Joseph Ziercher, Sr., D; Brody Murphy, Jr., M; Jackson Ellis, Jr., M; Burns Beckett (7 goals, 5 assists), So., F; Caden Mercer, Sr., F; Wesley Beiler, Sr., D; Emmet Morris, Jr., D; Wilson Travers (4 goals, 3 assists), So., M; John Mercer (5 goals, 4 assists), So., M.

Key newcomers: Carter Frame, Fr., D; James Willis, Jr., GK; Kutman Turdubaev, Sr., M (exchange student from Kyrgyzstan).

Casey’s outlook: “We expect to be competing for the Bull Run and Region 2B titles. Our sophomore class is going to be very strong for us this year. Wilson Travers, Johnny Mercer and Burns Beckett will all be very important for our success this year.”

First game: March 15 at James Wood

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