Thomas Dale Girls Soccer
2014 Record: 11-5-1
Lost to Woodbridge in 6A South Regionals
Key Players: Katie Waring, senior, midfield; Dominique Grubbs, sophomore, striker; Caroline Johnson, sophomore, defense
Key Departures: Becky Kriz, Bridget Schindel (Salem College)
Though a young team, the Knights were exciting. Katie Waring is the team’s most talented player and will draw headlines – Waring has speed, size, skill, and power. Moving to attacking midfielder this year, she’ll run the offense. Freshman Dominique Grubbs showed her vast potential, scoring 22 goals as a freshman striker. Caroline Johnson is a stout defender, Head Coach John Kabler has noted her marking skills. The Knights figure to improve this season as youth gains experience.
Matoaca Girls Soccer
2014 Record: 6-6
Lost to Clover Hill 3-1 in Conference 12 semis
Key Players: Maddie Campbell, senior, goalie; Kayla Hevener, senior, midfield; Kara Hevener, senior, midfield; Kate Broas, senior, defense
Key Departures: Jenny Burdick (Baldwin-Wallace University, Ohio)
A large number of players return with All-Conference 12. Goal keeper Maddie Campbell, who has allowed just 38 goals in three years. The midfield is experienced with the Hevener twins, Kayla and Kara, and Katy Wildeus, who adds a nice scoring touch. Kate Broas, tough and scrappy, returns as a four year varsity starter as defender. Continuous improvement in practice could result in one of the best teams Matoaca has had.
Meadowbrook Girls Soccer
2014 Record: 4-11
Lost to Matoaca 2-1 in Conference 12 quarters
Key Players: Monica Ochoa, freshman, midfield; Autumn Bradley, junior, wing; Syndy Ayala, senior, forward.
Key Departures: 2nd Team Conference 12 players Dayana Flores, Marceline Bihango and Betsy Alfaro.
For a program that hadn’t won a game in two years, winning four games was huge for the Monarchs, showing much progress. Freshman Monica Ochoa is expected to step in and make an immediate impact with a high soccer IQ and ball skills. Ochoa will help the offense flow. Team captain Autumn Bradley is a great student and a well-rounded athlete who also plays volleyball. Midfielder Carmen Ceritos and defender Mariela Sanchez are also expected to be key for Meadowbrook.
L.C. Bird Girls Soccer
2014 Record: 2-14
Lost to Manchester 3-1 in Conference 12 quarters
Key Players: Alexis McCargo, senior, defense; Nikki Robinson, senior, midfield; Jordan Stephenson, junior, goalie
Key Departures: Cindy Perez, Taylor Peoples
The Skyhawks picked up two wins last year and improvement was seen across the board. McCargo is looking to be the second recent L.C. Bird player to attend college to play soccer, along with Kimberlee Holdness. The senior is the team’s star and a captain. The only other senior in the young group is Nikki Robinson, who has been a four year starter and will enlist in the military after graduating. Newcomers Maribel Boror and Imani Booth could be bright spots as well.
Meadowbrook Boys Soccer
2014 Record: 12-4-3
Lost to Mills Godwin 2-0 in 5A South Regionals
Key Players: Bernardo Mejia, senior, goalie; Myles Smith, senior, midfield; Roberto Romero, defense
Key Departures: Rudy Argueta (Montgomery Comm College), Heber Quintanilla, Walter Munguia
The Monarchs keep improving. A quick team, Meadowbrook really played well with Mills Godwin in regionals; better than the 2-0 score indicates. Both Mejia and Smith are headed to play soccer at Mt. Olive and Chowan respectively, another sign of a growing program. Roberto Romero was an All-Conference defender and leads the Monarch defense. While the loss of Argueta is big, the Monarchs are very talented and should be in the mix to repeat as Conference 12 Champions.
Matoaca Boys Soccer
2014 Record: 9-6-1
Lost to Clover Hill 1-0 in Conference 12 Semis
Key Players: David Topping, senior, midfield; Justin Dyke, junior, defense; Alec Sadler, senior, midfield
Key Departures: Jake Hull, Jake Williamson
The loss of Hull and Williamson will sting, but Matoaca has been young for a couple of years now and that youth has started to mature. The Warriors dropped some tight decisions last year and are learning from those mistakes in practice. Topping is an excellent midfielder who facilities well. A good passer, Head Coach Jay Parker called him one of the toughest guys on the team. Sadler’s strength is field awareness, while Dyke along with senior David Kim are a dynamic defensive duo.
Thomas Dale Boys Soccer
2014 Record: 9-10
Lost to Patrick Henry-Roanoke 4-1 in Conference 3 Semis
Key Players: Alex Vasquez, junior, midfield; Plato Eliades, junior, defense; Austin Hylton, junior, forward
Key Departures: Austin Correia and Matt Peloquin
In every program there are ups and downs. The Thomas Dale Knights were a bonafide dynasty in recent years. Last season had it’s challenges, but wasn’t a downer as the Knights were just a win away from regionals. Vasquez will control the midfield for Thomas Dale with good touch and distribution skills. Also in the backfield is Tim Moore, who Fowler said will ‘bring a combative nature to the midfield.’ Eliades is the team’s best defender and Hylton will lead the offensive line.
L.C. Bird Boys Soccer
2014 Record: 3-12
Lost to Matoaca 3-1 in Conference 12 Quarters
Key Players: Alex Hernandez, senior, striker; Zach Peppers, senior, midfield; Nick Albright, senior, defense
Key Departures: Zack Winer, Sebastian Vincent, Carlos Conde
Like the girls’ program, the boys’ program is slowly improving. The Skyhawks enjoyed a three game winning streak last year, sandwiched in the middle of their season. Alex Hernandez is a solid offensive option and should lead the Skyhawks in scoring. Zach Peppers will man the midfield and will attack on offense. Nick Albright will marshal the defense, a point that’s improved vastly for the Skyhawks. Shane Albin and Felipe Chavez are also capable midfielders.
