SIX SOCCER TIGERS EARN ALL-STATE HONORS

Laux is Virginia's top coach, Plyler tabbed state's top rookie

(December 12, 2007) HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA – For the 2007 Hampden-Sydney Soccer Tigers, the accolades continue to pour in.

Six Tigers were voted to the 2007 VaSID Men's Soccer College Division All-State Team as selected by Virginia Sports Information Directors. Hampden-Sydney's Jason Butler (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin), Jason Powell (Marietta, GA/Pope), Will Robertson (Charlotte, NC/Charlotte Catholic) and Sam Turner (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) join Rookie of the Year John Robert Plyler (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park) and  Coach of the Year Josh Laux on the all-state roster.

Laux, also named Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, led Hampden-Sydney to an 11-6-3 record and No. 2 seed in the ODAC Tournament. The 11 wins were the most for Laux as a head coach, as he guided the Tigers to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2001. His team finished the season ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA/adidas South Region Poll and No. 8 in the d3kicks.com South Region Rankings.

The Rookie of the Year selection is the second such award for Plyler, as the freshman goalkeeper was also named the ODAC's top rookie in 2007. In addition to his all-state Rookie of the Year honor, Plyler was also chosen second team all-state goalkeeper after a stellar inaugural campaign, which saw the net minder post a 10-2-2 record and 0.89 goals-against average, good enough for fourth in the ODAC. His four shutouts ranked second in the conference.

Butler, a junior midfielder, garnered first team all-state recognition after recording his best season in a Tiger uniform. The captain scored five goals and tallied seven assists, accounting for his team-high 17 points. His assist total was second-best in the ODAC.

Powell, Robertson and Turner all earned second team all-state honors. Powell, a speedy junior forward, led the Tigers and ranked sixth in the ODAC with seven goals while also handing out three assists. Powell led the team with four game-winning goals and came on strong when his team needed him most, registering five of his goals in the final seven matches of the season.

Robertson was brilliant all season for Coach Laux, tallying five goals and three assists all while wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. The sophomore forward used his superior creativity and superb vision to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Turner, a solid freshman defender, spearheaded a stingy Tiger back line that surrendered just seven goals in conference play. He started in all 19 of his appearances and was a physical presence at center back.

Virginia Wesleyan sophomore forward Brandon Massie was named Player of the Year in addition to his first team all-state selection.

Joining Butler and Massie on the VaSID All-State First Team are Christopher Newport’s Michael Caro (Alexandria, VA) and Bridgewater’s Chris Thomas (Bowie, MD) at forward; Washington and Lee’s Josh Dodds (Marion, IA), Roanoke’s Eric Eversole (Blacksburg, VA) and Nate Wilson (Winchester, VA) in the midfield; Roanoke’s Andy Bickel (Towson, MD), Lynchburg’s Pat Brown (Williamsburg, VA), VWC’s Travis Cober (Morgantown, WV), and CNU’s Matt Page (Newport News, VA) on defense; and W&L’s Ted Sheedy (Pittsburgh, PA) in goal.

Joining Plyler, Powell, Robertson and Turner on the second team were W&L’s Jack Palmer (Williamsburg, VA) at forward; VWC’s Bryan Harris (Hockessin, DE), Lynchburg’s Modou Jobarteh (Silver Spring, MD), Southern Virginia’s Sevy Price (Fremont, CA), Mary Washington’s Ryan Taibl (Centreville, VA) and CNU’s Brian Tweed (Springfield, VA) in the midfield; CNU’s Bryan Davis (Barhamsville, VA), VWC’s Mike Karr (Virginia Beach, VA), W&L’s Fletcher McCraw (Greensville, SC), and Randolph-Macon’s Kevan Quinn (Ontario, Canada) on defense.

-www.hsc.edu/athletics-