Spartanburg Day Soccer teams Hard At Work This Spring
Billy Baker
Publisher
Spartanburg—The Spartanburg Day boy’ soccer program was 1-1 headed into the school’s Spring break and the young men in the program are under the tutelage of head coach Graham Brewer.
“We are currently 1-1. with a win against Chesnee High School in penalty kicks,” said Coach Brewer. “Our next game is March 28 against the Curtis Baptist School.
“We have a small team made up of 14 hard-working players,” said Coach Brewer. “My hope is that this team will continue to grow and bond as a unit. I hope we are able to compete, and win in our region, with the end goal of securing a playoff berth.”
Coach Brewer said the core group of team leaders are made up from senior goal keeper Colin Winkler, junior center back Noah Brush, and junior center back Brice Henderson.
“Colin and Brice have both been involved in the program since middle school,” said Coach Brewer. “Noah has been involved since ninth grade.
“Colin transitioned to the position late and has stepped in the last couple years,” Coach Brewer. “He has grown not only in skill but as a leader. His communication and guidance are key to the team’s success on the field.
“Brice has been a key member of our defense at the varsity level, starting from 8th grade,” said Coach Brewer. “His intensity and desire to win is next to no one. He elevates the team from a physical perspective and is irreplaceable.
“Noah is one of the more technically sound players on the squad,” said Coach Brewer. “He provides a great balance in terms of ability and physicality. His understanding of the game allows him to support the rest of the team.”
Spartanburg Day Boy’s Line-up:
#0 Colin Winkler, Senior, GK
#6 Gleb Varenov, Senior, RB
#10, Noah Brusch, Junior, CB
#22, Brice Henderson, Junior, CB
#11 Jacob Cochran, Junior, LB
#7 Liam Mezgar, Freshman, CDM
#4 Niles Murphy, 8th Grade, RM
#26 Armin Pader, Freshman, CM
#12 Aidan Darr, Senior, CM
#8 Gavin Mason, Sophomore, LM
#9 Reese Cook, Junior, ST
Coach Emily Rossie Directs The Spartanburg Day’s Girl’s Soccer Team
The Spartanburg Day girls’ soccer team is head coached by Emily Rossi and going into the school’s Spring break the Lady Griffins were 02 but focused on steady improvement.
“It's my first year in this role, so I do not know how long many of the players have been a part of this program,” said Coach Rossi. “Our more experienced players on team are senior striker Grace Becker who provides ingenuity on the pitch. Senior mid-fielder Kaytlin McKimpsey displays grit. Both of these players represent determination.
“Our main goal is to establish a strong defense that can easily transition to offense,” said Coach Rossi.
Other starting members of the girl’s team include: Senior marking back Mya Ferguson, and senior marking back Anna Vincent. Mary Franklin Gilman is a starting mid-fielder/keeper along with junior mid-fielder Vivi Darr and junior striker Aiala Llona. Rounding out the starters are sophomore marking back Hannah Vincent, sophomore marking back/mid-fielder Aishwarya Tuggudemde., sophomore mid-fielder Shan Zhang, and sophomore keeper Kaeleigh Hull.
Key back-ups include: senior Charlotte Roark, senior Mirabelle Ferguson junior Leticia Motta, junior Cardie Tan, junior Camille Cleland, sophomore Aroa Sala Iribarren, sophomore Chole Smith, sophomores Maddie Parker and two freshmen Bella and Bentley Cobb.
Coach Rossi is assisted by Joe Anderson and Anna Aceto-Korn. The athletic trainer is Jonathan Green.
