2A Soccer Thoughts.

[CallMeCoach19]

I am trying to get myself more familiar with 2A soccer outside of the West...hard to do with no one posting on this board. Anyway here are my thoughts from the first half of the season.
WEST: There are four legitimate West teams in my mind thus with a 5th still an anomaly. They are Martinsville, Giles, Dan River, and James River. I honestly didn't even realize Dan River was a West school until recently, but anyway. They, to me, are the most impressive thus far. Giles and Martinsville are neck and neck for 2. The James River as a third that could beat any of the other three. It seems very very tight. Graham is that outlier I mentioned. Not overly impressive, but solid enough to upset someone.
East: George Mason is what I know (and they are legitimately slaughtering people out there). Aside from that, I need educated. I know Clarke County is supposed to be OK and what not, but other than that...Any input is appreciated.

 

[OnceAKnight]

James River may or may not be in contention the rest of the way, my understanding is they may be finishing the season with a backup goalie with a lack of experience. Next few games will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

That stinks. They are a solid squad. Made it the game in Pearisburg. I really like the respect and attitude that team shows for the game and opponents every single season.

 

[OnceAKnight]

Yea there a good group of kids with coaches who don't tolerate a lot. Unfortunately a couple of them did something that they shouldn't have so they were dismissed from the team. Kids will be kids and make mistakes and use poor judgement just like adults, hopefully they learned a big lesson from it.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

It does happen. No team or player is immune from stupidity. The way the coach responds is where the lesson is learned. Sounds like he is going to respond accordingly.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

Also. Giles lost to Galax last night 3-0. They had been firing on all cylinders of late, but the Maroon Tide knew how to exploit a very young team. Now we will see if they respond by working harder and learning from it (as a more veteran team would) or if they keep their heads down and roll over again and again. This is a sophomore laden squad that will need to learn these lessons now, so that things can look up as they grow and develop.
Glenvar beat George Wythe (Wytheville) last night 2-1. I am unable to muster too much excitement there.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

James River tied Ghany: Good Show there I'm sure.
Giles beat Auburn 2-0: That Keeper for Auburn is something to see! And he gets shot on a lot, so go check him out.
No a lot going on today in the world of 2A Soccer, but would love to here about some of the East schools.

 

[coachb05]

Riverheads plays Wilson Memorial. Should be a great game. The two teams have players off of the SOCA Charlottesville Elite team.

 

[OnceAKnight]

James River tied Ghany: Good Show there I'm sure.
Giles beat Auburn 2-0: That Keeper for Auburn is something to see! And he gets shot on a lot, so go check him out.
No a lot going on today in the world of 2A Soccer, but would love to here about some of the East schools.

JR was not as sharp as they have been, long time between games maybe? Reserve goalie done a great job playing his first start. "Ghany" kid got red carded midway of 2nd? so they finished with 10, give them credit for playing tough while short handed.

 

[swvafan2014]

I've seen many of the SWVA teams and have been a referee for a couple and I will agree that Giles is very good. They know how to move the ball and look for the open man. Their defense is solid as well. Auburn is also solid. Jane River and Radford are struggling this year. Not that they aren't good. They are just struggling. I will say the team I've actually been impressed with is Floyd Boys. Their record (2-6)does not represent the team that they are. They played Giles tonight and let the most goals in so far this season with 6. They have a new coach and are led by solid seniors. They play solid soccer but struggle some with moving the ball up. I look for Giles to compete with Mason and Martinsville this year.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

Giles is good...but very young, and at times it shows in terrible ways. They are opportunistic and pretty good evaluators of a game. Floyd has some talent and the coach does a good job of positioning it. I was told that the Keeper play was just terrible. I saw video of one goal that may have been rolling at 5 mph towards midleft and the keeper looked stuck. Regardless good on Giles. Next for them is Glenvar Thursday.

 

[coachb05]

I've seen many of the SWVA teams and have been a referee for a couple and I will agree that Giles is very good. They know how to move the ball and look for the open man. Their defense is solid as well. Auburn is also solid. Jane River and Radford are struggling this year. Not that they aren't good. They are just struggling. I will say the team I've actually been impressed with is Floyd Boys. Their record (2-6)does not represent the team that they are. They played Giles tonight and let the most goals in so far this season with 6. They have a new coach and are led by solid seniors. They play solid soccer but struggle some with moving the ball up. I look for Giles to compete with Mason and Martinsville this year.

I have seen Giles play. They are good, but Mason is usually in a league of their own. They have pretty much dominated the 2A scene with 60+ goal differentials each of the past couple years. I have heard that they might be down this year, but a down year for Mason is an above average year for most other schools. I would group them with Martinsville though.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

I agree. I have not seen Mason, but to look at the pedigree and scorelines going up...DANG! I still wish they are Blacksburg would be in the same classification. That would be an amazing matchup you would get every few years!

 

[coachb05]

I have seen them play over the last couple seasons and played against them while in high school. They always seem to have a huge amount of talent. I have heard that they are slightly down this year which could make 2A a bit more interesting, I would still expect to see them in Radford come June.

 

[CallMeCoach19]

Oh yeah, I agree. I saw them the last year in 1A and then two ago. Such a talented squad. And very intense and fun to watch.

 

[coachb05]

After looking up Mason's schedule they have only had one game that has been anywhere close. They have been destroying pretty much everyone 2A in NOVA. The closest game was a 2-1 win over Mount Vernon... who is 6A...

 

[uvacavs1]

sorry 2A guys (coming from someone from the old NND, mostly smaller 1A schools), I would not say that Mason is having a down year unless allowing one goal all season so far (and that was by a 6A team btw) means that they are down. They are 6-0 having a total score of 49 or 50 to 1.

Mason has won like 8 State titles since 2000, including the last three. Mason is ranked #42 in the Nation right now by a soccer ranking website. I believe that they are on the longest winning streak of any soccer program at any level in the country. Their coach, Frank Spinello, was just named last summer a USA Today Soccer Coach of the Year finalist.

Mason does not really have a down year. They always have great talent and great coaching.

 

[coachb05]

That is what I was trying to say earlier. Even a "down" year at Mason is good enough to win a state title. I was just going off of rumors that I have been hearing about their squad. Last year they lost some big players, they seem to be very good at filling those spots quickly..

 

[CallMeCoach19]

I don't think anyone is making the claim that Mason isn't the favorite. You can see any post on 2A East and see that it is a given that they are. Now will they continue to win year in year out forever?...doubtful. Is this the year they lose?...very doubtful. But who knows...it is a long season.