The boy’s varsity soccer team’s 2013-14 season ended after a dramatic 3-3 draw with the Summit Jaguars. The team finished with an overall record of six wins, nine losses and five ties.
The varsity team will take this year’s experience as a way to build the team for next year. Varsity coach James Smelley knew he had to rebuild the once powerful Legacy Soccer program. His focus on strength and fitness, which he shows in the requirement that varsity players run three miles in 18 minutes.
“I think that all of the players know what I mean by fitness now,” Smelley said. “We are about to make greater strides now in that area. Things will just keep getting better.”
Standouts of the year were seniors Jeremy Hoelzer and Daniel Moore. Jeremy finished the season with 7 goals and 6 assists, and Daniel with 4 goals and 4 assists.
“I wish we would have gotten a little further in the playoffs,” Moore said, “but it’s always a lot of fun to play with your friends”
A memorable moment of this year’s campaign was the win over cross-town rival, Lake Ridge. Jeremy scored the lone goal of the game in the final 10 minutes. The team rallied together and held off Lake Ridge until the final whistle, handing the Eagles their first loss of the season.
“I thought we were going to lose that game,” Hoelzer said, “but, when I scored that goal, I had the best feeling out of any of the goals I scored this season.”
The varsity team will be losing 13 seniors, seven of which were starters. While their departures will hurt, Smelley remains confident that the Broncos will have a strong team next year.
“I want to win the district title and hopefully get a state championship,” Smelley said. “That’s always my goals.”
The boys’ JV soccer team ended the season on a high note with a seven-game unbeaten streak. The team finished the season with nine wins, three losses and one draw. JV coach Michael Keel supports and hopes to reflect their success in future years.
“I was glad to see how well we worked together because it isn’t just an individual sport,” Keel said. “It was a team effort that won a lot of games.”
