Lunenburg U8 soccer team dominates

Published 12:56 pm Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Lunenburg United Futbol Club U8 Team Two (LUFC U8) has probably forgotten what it feels like to lose.

The team followed up its undefeated run in the fall with a 10-0 run so far in the spring season that included winning the Southern Virginia Futbol League Tournament at Bunny Field in South Hill on Sunday.

“These kids are learning the fundamentals of the game extremely well,” coach Chappell Hawthorne said. “They have the passion for the game and know how to play as a team.”

The two-day single-elimination tournament began on Saturday and featured 11 teams from Mecklenburg, Charlotte and Lunenburg counties.

Hawthorne said his squad performed so well “because they play as a cohesive team, and in soccer, one player does not win the game.”

He also noted coaching has been key to the team’s success.

“Our coach, Luis (Lara), and Team Mom Nikki (Hawthorne) and myself really work together on building these kids up during practice and boosting morale during games,” he said. “The secret to our success is teamwork.”

Some standouts emerged during play, at both ends of the field. “Our senior strikers, Riley (Hawthorne) and Juan (Lara), had great performances through the games, collectively putting up 12 points in the two final games,” Hawthorne said. “Our goalie, Sam (Robertson), and senior defender, Ryder (Hawthorne), only allowed four points scored over the same two games.”

LUFC U8 has been together since the 2015 fall season, during which it went 8-0 and also won the Southern Virginia Futbol League Tournament.

“We are looking forward to the next round of tournaments coming up in June (Soccer Splash),” Hawthorne said.