Gallery by Tina Laney
There is plenty of excitement surrounding the Shady Spring boys soccer team this year.
The Tigers bring back several key veterans that, according to head coach Josiah Smith, have put in the work and are willing to make the sacrifices needed to be successful this year.
“This a team with so much character and I love the work ethic they brought to the preseason. They look out for each other and they are willing to do the work to take care of each other,” Smith said. “I love the mentality that is developing with this group. They have very good chemistry and they want to play soccer the right way. This group wants to find each other’s feet and move the ball.”
Friday night at H.B. Thomas Field, Shady Spring roared out of the gate and opened the 2023 soccer season with a 6-1 win over Mercer Christian Academy.
“I liked the communication and the unselfish play tonight. There is no one player on this team that it all hinges on,” Smith said. “You can say (senior striker) Michael (Vecellio) is a leader and is an impactful player, but he is very unselfish and looks for his teammates.”
The Tigers wasted no time putting the Cavaliers under intense pressure scoring two goals in the first five minutes of play.
Micah Smith hammered home the first goal in the fourth minute of play before Michael Vecellio knocked one in a minute later.
“The front line is strong and aggressive. It is intent on putting teams under pressure. Michael Vecellio is committed to doing the work. He comes early, stays late and wants to keep getting better,” Smith said. “For an elite player like him to have that type of work ethic, it is something we all look up to him for.”
Vecellio is one of a handful of Tigers that has played for Legacy Football Club in Beckley.
“They have played with Legacy FC for many years and it shows,” Smith said. “They play on very competitive teams and get touches throughout the year to keep getting better.”
Junior Garrett Meador is another striker that is part of a very deep midfield for the Tigers. Meador gave the the Tigers a three-goal advantage at the break when he found the back of the net in the 26th minute of play.
Joining Meador in the midfield is another flexible junior, Nathan Vecellio, Michael’s brother, along with seniors Elijah Smith and Jacob Shamblin. Nathan Vecellio had four assists Friday and Shamblin had one.
“Nathan is part of our midfield and attack at times. He is also up front at times,” Smith said. “Nathan is a dynamic player that is unselfish with the ball and has incredible footwork. Elijah Smith has been committed and wants to do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
“We also have some young players in the midfield that are very talented and are going to be impact players,” Smith continued. “There are several that can play different roles and they have. They are willing to assume the role that is required of them to make the team successful.”
Shamblin is an imposing force in the middle for Shady Spring with plenty of power in his right leg.
“Jacob is amazing. He has the experience and he is an anchor on the team,” Smith said. “People look to him and he is known as a player that leaves it all out there. He is committed in a way that is inspiring for sure.”
The start of the second half was eerily similar for the visitors when the home team hammered home two quick goals to put any thought of a comeback to rest.
Junior David Hegele scored in the 41st minute and Michale Vecellio scored his second goal in the 47th minute of play.
“We have a couple of anchors back there in Jody Thomas and David Hegele. David scored today because of his drive,” Smith said. “He plays center-back, but he will do whatever it takes to help the team. In that moment it was scoring.”
Hegele is doing the fall sports double dip by running cross-country. Shamblin is also playing two fall sports by doing the placekicking for the football team.
“We have several athletes on the team that enjoy other sports. I think that makes them better soccer players,” Smith said.
Meador rounded out the scoring for Shady Spring in the 65th minute before Adam Jones found Toby Bailey who scored on a header for Mercer Christian just before the final horn.
While opening night was a success, the ultimate goal for the Tigers is to do some damage in the postseason this year.
“The commitment to get better is there, so the trajectory for these boys is positive. They want to do the work to get better. There are areas where we can improve. We want to finish and slow down opponents.” Smith said. “I think our focus is one game at a time. We want to be successful so by the time the postseason rolls around we are playing our best soccer. We want to set ourselves up for the best chance to competitive there.”
Shady Spring hosts Charleston Catholic Thursday, while Mercer Christian hosts James Monroe Tuesday.
