BOYS' SOCCER PREVIEW: Trinity returns core of team that was one win shy of state tourney

Dominion Post

6 days ago

MORGANTOWN — The Trinity Christian soccer team was one win away from earning a trip to the Class AA/A state tournament last season.
The Warriors reached the Region I championship before falling 2-0 to the eventual state champion, East Fairmont, ending their 2024 campaign in heartbreak at East-West Stadium.
Trinity returns a season later with a strong nucleus of experienced players on the roster who have three years of varsity experience for head coach Dan Lohmann and his program, making the upcoming campaign one the Warriors are excited for.
'We have a very strong group of seniors who've been in our program for multiple years now,' Lohmann said. 'It's already been a lot of fun to be with this group and to see how they've grown in a short amount of time. They're great kids, and they work hard. We look forward to getting started with some games.'
Trinity Christian begins the 2025 season by hosting Notre Dame at 7 p.m. on Aug. 22.
Two of the key players returning for the Warriors are Nathan Adams and Austin Porta, who will provide the attacking threat.
Midfielder Jakub Gallik will also be back for TCS, a player able to command the midfield and dictate the play for his team.
Brayden Clampfer provides a stable defensive presence on the left side.
Parker Hopkins returns between the posts as one of the top goalkeepers in the state in any class.
'Parker has the mindset of being fearless,' Lohmann said. 'That's what you need to excel as a keeper. He is a true leader who sees everything on the field at all times, and it's very important to have the confidence that he does. He's a commanding presence in the box and raised his level of play tremendously last year for us.'
Hopkins was selected as one of two goalkeepers on the Class AA/A all-state first team and finished runner-up in the Goalkeeper of the Year voting.
'We started to establish the true culture of the team when I started here,' Lohmann said. 'These seniors are now the ones who really take on the responsibility of making sure we are doing what we need to do to prepare successfully. We love seeing them lead their teammates and be encouraging to one another.'
The Warriors had some unexpected roster gaps this season, which they filled with players who have limited experience. But Lohmann says that's exactly who his team has grown to be over the years.
'That's just the DNA of who our team has become,' he said. 'We have players who have experience playing at high levels of travel soccer and players who have barely touched the field before. I think some teams are surprised when they see the size of our school, and then see how competitive we actually are on the field. It's a credit to the players and their focus and dedication to themselves and to each other.'
MORGANTOWN HIGH
KEY PLAYERS: Ray Hanif (Sr.), Cam Wheeler (Sr.), Anthony Vessecchia (Jr.)
OPENING MATCHES: Aug. 20 at Buckhannon-Upshur, Aug. 23 at Woodrow Wilson, Aug. 26 vs. Bridgeport
PRESTON HIGH
KEY PLAYERS: Skyler Wilson (Sr.), Coen Thomas (Jr.), Evan Livengood (Sr.)
OPENING MATCHES: Aug 16 vs. Jefferson, Aug. 22 at Berkeley Springs, Aug. 26 at Keyser
UNIVERSITY HIGH
KEY PLAYERS: Davion Huckaby (Sr.), Andrew Ballard (So.), Baret Shuba (Jr.)
OPENING MATCHES: Aug. 20 at Lewis County, Aug. 23 at Brooke, Aug. 26 at Parkersburg South