From top to bottom, Briar Woods boys’ soccer has the lineup to challenge the area’s best
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Version 0 of 1. Once Francois Bernard begins taking inventory, the names keep coming. It takes a few minutes for the boys’ soccer coach at Briar Woods to mention all of the Falcons strengths this season. Senior Virginia pledge Colin Shutler is back in goal after stopping 188 shots last year. Junior keeper Micah Scott is a coveted second option. Senior captain Gavin Verfurth is an attacking midfielder who had a team-high nine assists last spring. Seniors Justin Corlett and Chandler Pointer proved worthy scoring options as juniors. Senior Bert Dunham is going to play fullback. Senior Nick Bryant is an “excellent player.” Oh, and there’s senior forward Eduardo Nunez. “So we’re looking pretty good on paper, but I’m a coach, so I’m going to be very skeptical until we do well,” Bernard said. “We have a lot of talent, but we still need to play simple and rely on our talent to make the difference.” The draw in Virginia Conference 14 gives the coach reason for skepticism. He knows at the top, Broad Run and Tuscarora are “as good as we are if not better, so every year it’s a battle.” The Spartans, who have advanced to the 5A state title game in each of the past two years and won it in 2014, beat Briar Woods in the region semifinals last year. The Huskies knocked the Falcons out in the conference final before upsetting Broad Run for the region crown. Bernard expects the rivalries to flare again this year while Stone Bridge and Potomac Falls challenge as well. For the coach who hails from Nancy, France, the passion from the players to the fans that pack the stands speaks to the growing quality of soccer in Northern Virginia. “It looks like a real soccer game,” he said. For more evidence, check the exports. Briar Woods freshman Jacob Warner left on Tuesday for a training exchange program with the Olympic Development Program in Austria. Bernard said once Warner settles his freshman jitters and flashes the feel for the ball he’s displayed in practice, Briar Woods will have another name to add to its arsenal. “I feel like he could play anywhere,” the coach said. “We’re counting on that.” Washington-Lee welcomes the arrival of Virginia commit Lucas Mendes, a D.C. United Academy forward who joins senior striker Maycol Nunez to form the most dangerous attacking tandem in the area this year.... Virginia Tech commit Nico Quashie leads a Lake Braddock squad that should be lethal in the attacking third.... A veteran Broad Run side should kick into high gear and aim for its third straight state title appearance when senior midfielder Nolan Poretz returns from a groin injury next month.... Senior forward Keyvan Montero is back to lead a young Robinson team that will look to wear opponents down with possession.... Senior striker Elliot Mercado returns from his 41-goal junior season to guide a George Mason team riding a 44-game winning streak and gunning for a fourth straight state crown. 1. Washington-Lee (12-1-1) Last ranked: 10 2. Lake Braddock (11-4) LR: 9 3. Tuscarora (14-5-1) LR: 4 4. Oakton (12-5) LR: 3 5. Broad Run (15-6-1) LR: 5 6. Langley (20-1-1) LR: 1 7. George Mason (26-0) LR: 7 8 . Briar Woods (16-3-1) LR: NR 9. Robinson (16-4-2) LR: NR 10. West Potomac (7-6-4) LR: NR On the bubble: Forest Park (12-2), Madison (12-8-1), Herndon (8-5-3) Final 2015 records. |