STATE EXTRA: Green Hornets soccer exceed expectations

RADFORD
If you asked Wilson Memorial head coach Scott Crist before the season if he thought Wilson would be playing for a berth in the Group A championship game, he probably would have told you it wasn’t likely.

“I had three goals coming into the season. Winning the district championship and the district tournament and somehow, someway qualify for the state tournament,” said Crist. “I had no idea that we would be playing for a chance at the state championship game in such a nice venue like this here at Radford University.”

It was a goal for the Hornets to get some play in the state tournament, but Crist had no idea that the young Hornets would get this far.

“As the season went on and we became more successful and were playing at such a high level it started to sink into the back of our minds,” Crist said. “Some of the younger players began to play better and eventually they matured into great players.”

Wilson carried only three seniors into the semifinal game Saturday with only one senior starter, Deidre Deacon. The Hornets were an extremely young team that exceeded many expectations, including their own.

Younger players like Hannah Myers took the loss hard, but she knows that the future is bright for Wilson girl’s soccer.

“No one expected us to get this far. We dreamed of getting here, but definitely didn’t expect to,” Myers said. “We are losing three seniors, but we are gaining some excellent junior varsity players. We have really become close as a team since the beginning of the season, and that will definitely help us next year since we all have worked together so well.”

With such a tight knit group of players, the loss Saturday to George Mason was extremely difficult for some, but others looked at the loss as a chance for redemption come next season.

Crist saw his younger players grow up as the season progressed and a saw a resilient and mature bunch fight till the very end Saturday.

Many Hornets, including junior Angelica Thacker, were knocked to the ground numerous times during the second half Saturday, and even though she knew the scoreboard was not in their favor she never once thought of quitting.

“We don’t give up no matter what. We talked at halftime about giving all we had and to leave everything on the field,” Thacker said. “No matter what the score is we never give up and that is how this team is. We don’t give up.”

Crist could not have been happier with the effort from his girls throughout the entire season and, even though the ride was over and the girls were turning in their jerseys and packing their bags, Crist told them to keep their heads high.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the way they played this year. Throughout this entire region and state run we have gave 100 percent effort.” Crist said. “We have nothing to be disappointed about. We had a great season.”