Ask senior Gavin Thompson, and it’s easy to see that the Warrenton boys’ soccer team continues to be headed in the right direction.
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Ask senior Gavin Thompson, and it’s easy to see that the Warrenton boys’ soccer team continues to be headed in the right direction.
That’s because the Warriors’ 12-8 record under new coach Jake Brown was only two wins off what the team accomplished a year ago and, maybe even more importantly, the team defeated Fort Zumwalt East to earn a district playoff win for the first time since 2009.
“I feel very privileged to lead the team,” Thompson said. “The first year (under Brown) was nothing short of incredible. We really grew on and off the field. We have the right combination to make some noise in the future.”
The Warriors won four times in a five-game stretch twice this season, including a stretch that ended with the win over Zumwalt East.
A trio of seniors led the team, statistically, this season.
Senior forward Tyler Scruggs (19 goals, nine assists) and Thompson (11, 5) out of the midfield led the team’s offense, while Rylee McGee (12-8 record, 2.00 goals-against average, five shutouts) led the way in goal.
The team also averaged 2.8 goals per game while allowing just 2.0.
Brown said that changing the team dynamic, from one centered around super-scorer Isaac Wagner, to a balanced team-oriented attack did have its trials and tribulations.
“We knew it would be challenging learning to play without Issac Wagner,” Brown said. “He was such a huge part of our offense. But Scruggs and Thompson picked up the slack, along with the hustle from Baum and a solid defensive line; we were very competitive this year.”
In the future, the team will lose six seniors to graduation, but plenty of returning talent should be there next year and beyond.
Brown said he’s expecting a motivated group of players back to help lead the program.
“Losing the seniors we have will be tough, but we have some young hungry guys coming up,” Brown said. “When we get Caden Baum back healthy and Cooper (Irwin) being a sophomore this year and Lane Hans being a junior, we will have a great core group of guys. Along with some heavy minutes from freshman Grayson Gagliano and Braxton Tucker, we have spots to fill. Next season will be a dogfight for minutes. Those guys will have to compete at a high level in practice. Other (important) players are Oscar Bynum, Ryder Augusta and Damion Sheperd. I am looking for big things to come next season.”
