Two Matoaca High School soccer players, along with a member of the school’s competition cheerleading squad, committed to colleges this past week.
Wilson Tunnell will head to Ferrum. Madi Thrasher will go west to Bluefield College, and cheerleader Amiya Mason will head to Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia.
Tunnell is a tough defender who started every game in his junior year and so far his senior season. A skilled and technical player, he is paired with Ty Louthan, and they have given teams fits in Conference 12. Tunnell has been a member of the soccer program the past two seasons as the Warriors have won back-to-back conference titles.
In 2017, the Ferrum Panthers posted a respectable 9-8-2 record, including a 5-4-2 record in the USA South Conference. They scored a 4-0 shutout victory over Berea College and a big win over in-state rival Emory & Henry, winning 5-1.
“He’s gotten bigger and stronger over the last couple years,” coach Jay Parker said of Tunnell. “That has allowed him to turn into a college soccer player.”
Matoaca, with a 6-2-1 record this year, hopes to move on to the 5A Regional playoffs after battling through to two tough losses in 2016 and 2017.
Thrasher is a forward for the girls’ soccer program and an important part of the offense. The senior has tallied 20 goals and assists over the last two seasons playing alongside fellow captain and VHSL career goals record holder Maiya Pencile.
“Madi moved up to varsity as a sophomore and quickly became a staple in our offense,” coach Erin Kutsko said. “She quickly became a staple of our offense.”
“She’s very fast,” Kutsko continued, “and has great ball control. On top of that, she’s a hard worker, a great leader, and she’s tough as nails.”
Bluefield College posted a 6-11-1 mark during the 2017 season with some highlights coming in a huge win over Kentucky Christian, 7-0, and another victory where the
Rams cruised 5-1 over Warren Wilson.
Cheerleader Amiya Mason is headed to Alderson Broaddus, where she will join a squad that placed second at the 2017 CANAM Nationals. The Battlers’ website said the team scored 87.19 and 87.93 (out of 90 points) in two separate performances April 4 at the Battle of the Capitol at the National Harbor.
