Warriors Optimistic For 2024 Boys Soccer Season

Grace Christian is coming off one of the best seasons that the boys' soccer program has ever had. Grace was back to back VACA League champions (Virginia Association of Christian Athletics) and made it to the semifinals in the D3 VISAA championship, eventually losing to Trinity at Prairie View in double overtime. The team finished the season with a 16-3-4 overall record.  

Grace graduated seven seniors, including Nolan Brown (19 goals, VISAA All-state and VACA player of the year), Sam Lum (15 goals) and netminder Trevor Schwartz with a goals against average of .75 per game. Brown will continue his soccer journey at Covenant College While Schwartz will stay local and play for the Fighting Squirrels of Mary Baldwin.

Aiden Weaber and Patrick Wells are two key returning defensive players who will anchor the Warriors squad in back. Both are strong defensively but also provide quite a bit of offensive support pushing forward. Each had three goals last season and will need to provide even more firepower this fall. Central midfielder Micah Erdman played a great supporting role to Brown a year ago but will need to provide more control, composure and creativity as he steps into that lead midfield role. Clark Wells and Caleb Roes are training as keepers and both will get significant time in net.

Returning winger Nate Erdman along with newcomers Abe Hochstetler and Caleb Cashion are seniors to give a bit of maturity to the squad. Although Hochstetler and Cashion are new to the pitch, both will have an immediate impact with their speed and physicality.

The Warriors welcome eight rising freshmen who will be on the field this year. Anderson Weaber played both middle school and varsity a year ago and was a solid contributor on both squads. Along with Anderson Weaber, Zeke Fitzgerald, Abe Kirkorian, and Jon Ratigan should have significant roles on the team.

The other exciting development for the Warriors is this will be the team’s first season on the new field at Cedar Green. “It was a great venue for the girls last spring and we are looking forward to defending our home turf this fall,” said head coach Michael Mallory.

“Our goal is always to play the best possible soccer we can with the talent we have. I believe we can defend our VACA title well and compete for that 3-peat. Our stretch goal would be to qualify for VISAA D3 again and we have scheduled quality competition throughout the season to challenge and strengthen the team. Our upcoming early games against North Cross and EMHS will be a great first test to see where we're at and where improvements need to be made,” Mallory added.