Category Archives: Soccer

2017.06.10 Boys Soccer: Riverside @ Blacksburg, 3A State Final

2017.06.10 Boys Soccer: Riverside @ Blacksburg, 3A State Final
Salem, VA (June 10, 2017) – No one would have blamed the Riverside Rams if they had just phoned it in today. After a grueling four-overtime semifinal victory less than twenty-four hours before this match began an exhausted team was what they had to offer to the Blacksburg Bruins. From the start the Bruins looked fresher, but…
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2017.06.06 Boys Soccer: Spotswood @ Riverside, 3A State Semifinal

2017.06.06 Boys Soccer: Spotswood @ Riverside, 3A State Semifinal
Salem, VA (June 9, 2017) – As opposed to the earlier match for the Riverside Rams girls soccer team, the boys version was the favorite in this state semifinal match. Even when you say that, however, that doesn't mean the other team isn't ready to play. And ready they were. While the Rams had the possession edge, the…
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2017.06.06 Girls Soccer: Riverside @ Western Albemarle, 3A State Semifinal

2017.06.06 Girls Soccer: Riverside @ Western Albemarle, 3A State Semifinal
Salem, VA (June 9, 2017) – The day broke with much promise for the Riverside Rams. Playing in their first ever state semifinal, could they upset the top-seeded Warriors from Western Albemarle? Sporting a record of 20-2 entering the match, the Warriors were clearly the favorite. But, for much of the first half of this match--played in beautiful Salem,…
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2017.06.02 Boys Soccer: York @ Riverside, 3A East Semifinal

2017.06.02 Boys Soccer: York @ Riverside, 3A East Semifinal
Lansdowne, VA (June 2, 2017) – Their previous match had been a cakewalk so the Riverside Rams had not yet been tested in their first ever regional tournament. Would the York Falcons provide stiffer competition? Although the Rams dominated possession, the Falcons were clearly a better prepared side at every position than the previous opponent. Riverside had…
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2017.06.01 Boys Soccer: Thomas Jefferson @ Riverside, 3A East Quarterfinal

2017.06.01 Boys Soccer: Thomas Jefferson @ Riverside, 3A East Quarterfinal
Lansdowne, VA (June 1, 2017) – Before the game even started, the Riverside Rams were ahead. Well, technically, the scoreboard reflected the goal scored in the first eight minutes played two days ago--before the match was called due to inclement weather. If you trend that out--one goal per eight minutes--would the final score be 10-0? Troy Jackson (10)…
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2017.05.29 Girls Soccer: Woodgrove @ John Champe, 4A West Quarterfinal

2017.05.29 Girls Soccer: Woodgrove @ John Champe, 4A West Quarterfinal
Aldie, VA (May 29, 2017) – No matter what the sport, pairing two Loudoun teams in regional playoffs is sure to be a good matchup. The host John Champe Knights had a slightly better record--and  higher seed--then the visiting Woodgrove Wolverines, but not by much. The lower seed didn't matter as the Wolverines jumped in front with…
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2017.05.26 Boys Soccer: James Monroe @ Riverside, Conf. 28 Final

2017.05.26 Boys Soccer: James Monroe @ Riverside, Conf. 28 Final
Lansdowne, VA (May 26, 2017) – Entering the match for the Conference 28 Championship, both the host Riverside Rams and the visiting James Monroe Yellow Jackets had won two playoff games. The Rams had a slightly easier route, beating the eighth and fifth seeds, while the Jackets had to upset the second seeded William Monroe to get…
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2017.05.24 Boys Soccer: Park View @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Final

2017.05.24 Boys Soccer: Park View @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Final
Leesburg, VA (May 24, 2017) – When the Park View Patriots visited the Heritage Pride for last year's conference final they launched their voyage to the 4A state championship. Almost exactly one year later, for which team would this rematch provide a similar boost? Almost before the fans could settle into their soggy bleacher seats, Heritage's Gabe Splett scored on a breakaway…
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2017.05.11 Boys Soccer: Riverside @ Park View

2017.05.11 Boys Soccer: Riverside @ Park View
Sterling, VA (May 11, 2017) – The Riverside Rams entered the game confidently behind an unblemished 14-0-2 regular season record. Their test would be against the Park View Patriots, the 2016 4A State Champions also sporting an outstanding record at 11-2-0. The match might not matter much in terms of playoff seeding, but it certainly would give…
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2016.07.14 Special: Best of 2015-16 High School Sports

2016.07.14 Special: Best of 2015-16 High School Sports
Ashburn, VA (July 14, 2016) – It's been a true privilege to photograph high school sports in Loudoun County for the last four years. I've witnessed breathtaking moments, heartbreaking disappointments, thrilling victories, and stunning upsets. I've seen great team victories and brilliant individual championships. I've sat in a field bundled up waiting for cross country racers to…
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2016.06.11 Girls Soccer: Mills Godwin @ Tuscarora, 5A State Final

2016.06.11 Girls Soccer: Mills Godwin @ Tuscarora, 5A State Final
Fairfax, VA (June 11, 2016) – As the final representative from Loudoun County high schools, the Tuscarora Huskies girls soccer team was one of the eight in all sports that made it all the way to the 2016 VHSL championship game. Their opponent, the feisty Mills Godwin Eagles, were waiting. Chas Sumser was there to cover the…
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2016.06.01 Girls Soccer: John Champe @ Loudoun County, 4A West Final

2016.06.01 Girls Soccer: John Champe @ Loudoun County, 4A West Final
Leesburg, VA (June 1, 2016) – Gradually, the number of teams eligible to continue playing in the 2016 Virginia playoffs is narrowing. John Champe visited Loudoun County for a coveted spot in the 4A West regional final and a guaranteed trip to the state tournament. Chas Sumser was at the semi-final meeting to cover the action and…
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2016.05.30 Boys Soccer: Fauquier @ Park View, 4A West Quarterfinal

2016.05.30 Boys Soccer: Fauquier @ Park View, 4A West Quarterfinal
Sterling, VA (May 30, 2016) – After their masterful defeat of top-seeded Heritage in the conference final, Park View's placement in the 4A West Regionals was well-earned. Coming with that placement was a matchup with the less-heralded Fauquier Falcons, the second seed from Conference 22. Chas Sumser was there to cover the action and posted a gallery of 108 images.…
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2016.05.24 Boys Soccer: Park View @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Final

2016.05.24 Boys Soccer: Park View @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Final
Leesburg, VA (May 24, 2016) – As it should be, the top two teams from the regular season advanced to the 2016 Conference 21B championship game. Top-seeded Heritage's path was surprisingly tough as they beat a plucky Loudoun County squad, 4-3, while Park View more easily defeated Rock Ridge, 5-0. No matter, they're in the…
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2016.05.20 Girls Soccer: Dominion @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Semifinal

2016.05.20 Girls Soccer: Dominion @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Semifinal
Leesburg, VA (May 20, 2016) – Although the Dominion Titans had to play a quarterfinal game to arrive at the higher-seeded Heritage High School, there wasn't much separating the two teams. The Titans finished the regular season 9-7-1 and the Pride had a 6-5-5 record. Heritage won the first meeting, 1-0, but the two teams tied…
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2016.05.20 Boys Soccer: Loudoun County @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Semifinal

2016.05.20 Boys Soccer: Loudoun County @ Heritage, Conf. 21B Semifinal
Leesburg, VA (May 20, 2016) – Following a huge win on penalties, the Loudoun County Raiders travelled to Heritage High School for a Conference 21B semi-final matchup with the top-seeded Pride. The Raiders were on the short end of both regular season meetings between the two teams, but they carried the momentum from their quarterfinal…
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2016.05.18 Boys Soccer: Tuscarora @ Broad Run, Conf. 14 Semifinal

2016.05.18 Boys Soccer: Tuscarora @ Broad Run, Conf. 14 Semifinal
Ashburn, VA (May 18, 2016) – Finishing second and third in Conference 14 guaranteed a showdown between Broad Run and Tuscarora in the conference tournament semi-finals. The Huskies won the first meeting, 2-0, at home, and the two teams tied, 0-0, in the rematch at Broad Run. Overall, both teams only lost three games each, but the Spartans won…
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2016.05.18 Girls Soccer: Briar Woods @ Broad Run, Conf. 14 Semifinal

2016.05.18 Girls Soccer: Briar Woods @ Broad Run, Conf. 14 Semifinal
Leesburg, VA (May 18, 2016) – Finishing second and third in Conference 14 guaranteed a showdown between Broad Run and Briar Woods in the conference tournament semi-finals. The Falcons won their first meeting, 2-1, on Spartan turf, and the two teams tied, 1-1, in the rematch at Briar Woods setting up what was sure to be…
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2016.05.10 Girls Soccer: Stone Bridge @ Tuscarora

2016.05.10 Girls Soccer: Stone Bridge @ Tuscarora
Leesburg, VA (May 10, 2016) – With the playoffs fast approaching, there isn't much separating any of the five teams in Conference 14. In fact, every team sports a winning overall record. And so, when the Stone Bridge Bulldogs met the Tuscarora Huskies it looked like the game could go either way. Chas Sumser was there…
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