The King's Warriors Soccer Club made great strides this season, despite playing beneath the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. The schedule had a few less games, but was still a great experience for our players.
Our twice weekly practices were split between our home field at Hilldale Community Park and Greater Beckley Christian School. GBCS did not field a team this year, but six of their players, including goalkeeper Jake Dickens, and field players Brody Young, Sydney Stover, Alyssa Woodruff, Addison Woodruff, and B.J. Mitchell, helped fill the ranks of the King's Warriors. Our faithful returnees included Chance Blevins, Eli Blevins, Jonah Blevins, Andrew Smith, Aaron Smith, and Ailena Bezek. New players this year included Isaac Beckett, Keatley Michael, Angel Taylor, Aedan Bailey, and Stephen Paul Belcher. Developmental players that got playing time in varsity games included Marley Stoneback, Noah Stoneback, and Johnny Wheeler.
The regular season record ended 7-2-1, the only two losses coming at the hands of the strong IGNITE home school team from Hurricane, WV. Coupled with the games at NACA (see previous article for details), the King's Warriors finished a very respectable 9-5-1.
The King's Warriors outscored their opponents 39-24. Chance Blevins led all scorers with 17, followed by Isaac Beckett and Ailena Bezek with 4, Eli Blevins and Keatley Michael with 3; and Aaron Smith, Angel Taylor, and B.J. Mitchell with 2. The Warriors also forced 2 own goals.
Goalkeeper Jake Dickens tended the nets, and recorded six shutouts along the way. Three of the Warriors' five losses were only by a single goal. They were shutout in only one loss, 4-0 to the eventual Division 1 contender - Jacksonville Christian Academy (NC), who were 13-0 going into their match. The Warriors other "pool play" loss at NACA, 4-3 to Rhea County Christian School, was the most goals a Warriors team had ever scored in "pool play." Their 2nd place finish in Division 3 was the highest ranking the King’s Warriors have ever attained at NACA.
The Warriors will take a couple weeks off, and then resume indoor training at the gym at Countryside Baptist Church, Forest Hill, WV. For information about becoming a King's Warriors, call coaches Dr. James Blume (304-890-4946), or Jonathan Windle (1-540-958-1509).
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