The Greenbrier East boys soccer team rolled into the 2023 season riding the momentum of a state championship the previous season.
Unfortunately, high expectations turned sour with a first round exit in sectional play.
“We were just so inconsistent last year. We had the talent, but we just couldn’t find the level of consistency to be ultra competitive,” head coach Lucas Lemine said. “We smacked Princeton in the regular season and then they put it on us in the sectional game. They had the better plan and they played the better game. Our inconsistencies came to light without question.”
A new year brings new hope for the Spartans including the return of senior Will Godby. Godby was expected to be a key player last year before an All-Terrain Vehicle accident took him out of action before the season started.
“Having him is big. I think he is comfortable and understanding the system in what we want to do,” Lemine said of his senior. “He is really taking advantage of the opportunity he now has in front of him. He is competitive and wants to play.”
“We also have several other returning players,” Lemine went on to say. “We have four new guys that will move up from junior varsity to get some varsity minutes. Not only because we need them, but also to groom them for their junior and senior year for a couple of them. One of them is just a freshman.”
Senior Dylan Depreist-Thompson will play up front on the outside and will be matched with freshman Paul Kucera. Sophomore John Withrow will also see big minutes in the scoring third.
“Dylan scored some goals for us last year and he has really come into his own and understands the movements,” Lemine said. “Once John buys into the system he can be one of the best forwards in the state. He is fast, has good acceleration and is good with both feet. He can get up in the air and is a strong kid.”
Senior Parker Hill will also play on the outside after playing center-back for three years.
“Parker may be our most versatile player,” Lemine said. “He is good with both feet and can get up and down the field well. If he loses the ball, he will get it right back and you won’t get it from him.”
Lemine expects the bulk of the scoring to come from that foursome with senior Ryde Wykle coming in for Hill to provide more quality minutes.
The veteran coach is not necessarily looking for a “score by committee approach,” however.
“I want people to know their roles, but I want people to know they have to stop this (certain) kid. If we score by committee, I feel like teams can sit back and defend more,” Lemine said. “If we have one distinct scoring threat, they have to hone in on that guy and then I can attack you in other places and take advantage of things.”
The core along the back will be anchored by senior Nixon Brown along with a pair of speed burners in sophomore August Vincent and junior Nathan Pack. Isaiah Bartenslager and Cristian Kanafany will play on the left side.
“It is such a luxury to have some guys, especially at center-back, that when people play the ball through the channels I have guys that can track it,” Lemine said. “That leaves my center-midfielders and other people some space to get in the attack a little better.”
The most notable vacancy from graduation for the Spartans is between the pipes where all-state keeper Joe Cochran made his mark.
“William ‘Dub’ Vickers is going to step into those shoes. He has been behind Joe for two years. Last year he made a huge improvement from freshman year where he hadn’t played soccer in a long time,” Lemine said. “I think his shot stopping ability was right there with Joe and he is getting more comfortable. He spreads the ball out well when he does it right. I still feel like we will have one of the best goalies in the state.”
Greenbrier East opens the season at home against Washington on Aug. 22. The first sectional game is on the road at Princeton on Sept. 5 before hosting Beckley on Sept. 19. Oak Hill comes to Fairlea five days after the Flying Eagles.
