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Local talent boosts Cavs
Lake Braddock graduate Matt Weiler had a successful first two years at the University of Kentucky. He started 21 games during that span for the men's soccer team and was even named to the Conference USA All-Tournament Team as a freshman after helping the Wildcats reach the conference final.Still, something did not seem right to Weiler, so he decided to transfer to the University of Virginia and continue his soccer career a little closer to home.
“UVA is a prestigious program,” said Weiler, who was named Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia as a junior at Lake Braddock. “I wanted to move to the [Atlantic Coast Conference] and try to reach my potential. I'll be facing better players in a stronger conference.”
Weiler is a very welcome addition to the Cavaliers squad, which lost five starters off its 2007 roster and boasts 10 freshmen this season.
“We're a lot younger than in years past,” said senior Matt Poole, a Reston native who has been a stalwart on the Virginia defense for the last three years. “Matt looks like a good addition. He's a big dude. He'll definitely bring a physical presence.”
At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Weiler is one of the biggest Cavaliers this season, and he plans to use that size to his advantage out of his defensive center midfield position.
“That's one of my positive attributes,” he said. “I'm a little more physical on my tackles and I play against some of the bigger players. I'm just going to try to bring intensity.”
Weiler and Poole are not the only local players suiting up for the UVA men's soccer team in 2008. In all, there are seven Northern Virginia natives on the Cavaliers' roster. Junior Neil Barlow, whose brother Jeremy graduated in the spring, returns to the midfield, where he made an impact last year.
“I'm trying to be a leader on the team,” said Barlow, a Herndon native. “I'd definitely like to help out the team and score as many goals as I can. I'll do whatever I need to do.”
Sophomore David Newman (Annandale) also will look to gain an increased role in the midfield this season, while Robby Rogers (Fairfax Station) shores up the defense. Howard Turk (Falls Church) joins 2008 Gatorade Player of the Year Christian McLaughlin (Herndon) as two members of the incoming freshman class, which Poole calls “the most talented since I've been here.”
UVA has been synonymous with excellence in men's soccer over the years, but Poole admits that the team underachieved last season, when it finished with a record of 12-8-2, but was just 1-5-2 in ACC play. The Cavaliers' competition is expecting another down year for the team, as the ACC coaches picked UVA to finish sixth in the preseason poll.
"We're not getting disheartened," Barlow said. "We're using it to motivate us. People are betting against us, but we'll prove them wrong."
Added Weiler, "I'd rather be the underdog. It gives us more motivation every day. If people don't think you're that good, you can come out and stun them each week."
If the Cavaliers do stun their opponents in 2008, it is sure to be due in large part to this crop of Fairfax County talent.
"It's great to have so many people on the team I've known my entire life," Barlow said. "I've always wanted to play with them, and it's great to finally get that chance."
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