Photo by Brian Hoffman
The Lord Botetourt boys’ soccer team made it to the Class 3 state quarterfinal before falling to Liberty Christian Academy, 2-0, in Lynchburg last week. The trip to the state quarterfinal marks the best finish the LB boys have had since 2019.
“After securing a state tournament berth with dramatic victories in the region quarterfinals and semifinals the Cavaliers faced a difficult challenge against some of the top teams in the state,” said LB coach Tim Wright. “The Cavaliers understood the caliber of competition they would face, and against elite opponents the margin for error becomes extremely small.”
LB’s game plan centered on remaining defensively sound, staying compact behind the ball and looking to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities when they arose.
“Against talented teams capable of controlling possession and creating chances, defensive organization and discipline were critical,” said Wright. “While the final results were disappointing, they do not diminish what this group accomplished.”
Botetourt finished the season at 10-9-3. The Cavaliers battled through a challenging postseason, including a thrilling overtime victory over the region’s top seed, Magna Vista, to earn their place in the state tournament.
“Along the way, they demonstrated resilience, toughness, and a willingness to compete in high-pressure moments,” said Wright. “The season also showcased the promise of the program’s future. A young core of players gained valuable experience in meaningful postseason matches while helping return Lord Botetourt to a level of success not seen in several years.
“Most importantly, this team re-established a standard for what Cavalier soccer can achieve. Their run to the state tournament served as a reminder that Lord Botetourt soccer belongs among the region’s top programs, and the experience gained this season will provide a strong foundation moving forward.”
The Region 3D team was recently announced and LB had two on the first team, senior Isaac Alderman at forward and freshman Cooper Pastrikos at midfield. Second team selections were senior Garrett Honts at goalkeeper, and two sophomore forwards, Jackson Taylor and Jonah Dunker.
“This was amongst a very strong region consisting of 13 teams,” said Wright.
