Graduation 2013: Tuscarora - Graduates Asked 'Where Will You Take Us?'

This is the 11th part of a Viva Loudoun 18-part Graduation 2013 series with a detailed look at the graduations at all the Loudoun County Public Schools high schools and programs.

(July 8, 2013) - "Tonight we pause to reflect on the accomplishments of the Class of 2013”, said Tuscarora High School Principal Pamela Paul-Jacobs as she welcomed the families and friends of the graduates on Sunday, June 9th. “Over the last several days I have had an opportunity to reflect on the many successes that we have achieved together.”

Boys Basketball: James Wood Coach Al Smith Takes Over Tuscarora Program

(June 21, 2013) - Quietly a month ago, Al Smith stepped down as the boys basketball coach at James Wood High School in Winchester to take over the Tuscarora program in Leesburg.

After the move was approved at the May 14 Loudoun County school board meeting, a release was issued by the Frederick County Public Schools:

James Wood High School boys’ basketball and golf coach Al Smith has resigned in order to teach at Tuscarora High School in Loudoun County and to coach that school’s boys’ basketball team. The Loudoun County School Board approved Smith’s hiring during its meeting yesterday.

Smith says, “I would like to thank Principal Joe Salyer, Coordinator of Student Activities Craig Wosher and the entire James Wood High School administrative team for providing me with the opportunity to teach and coach at James Wood. They have provided unwavering support during my five-year tenure as boys’ basketball coach and my seven years as the coach of the golf team.” Smith adds, “I believe I’m leaving both the basketball and golf programs in positions of strength and I think both teams will have the opportunity to compete for Northwestern District championships next season. I’m leaving James Wood with many great memories, but am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await me as a teacher and coach at Tuscarora High School.”

Girls Volleyball: Meghan Puckli Takes Reigns of Tuscarora Program

(June 21, 2013) - Meghan Puckli, a former Loudoun County High School and Christopher Newport University girls volleyball standout, has taken the reigns of the Tuscarora program. Puckli  had been an assistant in the Huskies program under Marsha Hermes who left in the offseason to take over at Briar Woods.

In other coaching news from the May 28 school board meeting, Tuscarora promoted Libby Messina from assistant gymnastics coach to head coach.

Full list of coaching moves:

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora, Briar Woods Both Fall in State Semifinals

By Kyle Frazier 
Special to Viva Loudoun 
Radford (June 8, 2013) - The defending AA state runner-up Tuscarora High School boys soccer team allowed four goal in 23 minutes in the second half Saturday in a 4-0 loss to Blacksburg in the state semfinals. Earlier in the day at Radford University, Briar Woods Fell to E.C. Glass, 1-0.

Spring Sports: State Semifinal Schedules for Loudoun Schools *Updated Again*

(June 8, 2013) - Updated dates for VHSL state semifinals for Loudoun schools and athletes:

Saturday, June 8
AAA at Westfield High School
Softball
Stone Bridge vs. Cosby, 4 p.m.

AA at Radford
Baseball
Woodgrove vs. Tunstall, 7 p.m. at Calfee Park, Pulaski

Softball
Woodgrove vs. Fort Defiance, 4 p.m.

Boys Soccer
Briar Woods vs. E.C. Glass, noon
Tuscarora vs. Blacksburg, 2 p.m.

Girls Soccer
Briar Woods vs. Blacksburg, 4 p.m.
Woodgrove vs. Salem, 6 p.m.

Soccer: Fantastic Four! Briar Woods Boys, Girls; Tuscarora Boys, Woodgrove Girls All Advance to AA State Semifinals

(June 6, 2013) - A week ago when the Region II championship games were all-Dulles District affairs -- decided by one goal on the boys side and by a Golden Goal in overtime on the girls side -- we said that we wouldn't be surprised if all four teams didn't meet again at Radford in the state finals. On Tuesday all four teams took a big step towards that rematch with AA state quarterfinals wins.

The Briar Woods High School boys and girls swept a doubleheader at home with identical 3-0 shutouts -- the Falcons boys over Culpeper and the Falcons girls over Jamestown -- and the Tuscarora boys and Woodgrove girls brought home road victories with the Huskies beating Lafayette, 2-1, and the Wolverines taking Courtland, 3-1.

All four teams will play back-to-back-to-back-to-back at Radford on Saturday, June 8 in the state semifinals, pushed back a day due to incoming storms: Briar Woods boys vs. E.C. Glass 10 a.m.; Tuscarora boys vs. Blacksburg noon; Briar Woods girls vs. Blacksburg 2 p.m.; Woodgrove girls vs. Salem 4 p.m. Finals are slated for Sunday, June 9. (see jump for game recaps)

Boys Soccer: 2013 All-Region II Team Released

(June 4, 2013) - The 2013 All-Region II boys soccer has been released this week. Despite an all-Dulles District regional final, just three of the 11 players on the first team are from the Dulles District. Briar Woods coach Francois Bernard was named the Coach of the Year.

2013 Boys Soccer All-Region II
Player of the year: Rodrigo Casteriana, Sherando
Coach of the year: Francois Bernard, Briar Woods

First Team
Collin Verfurth, Briar Woods
Dale Ludwig, Fluvanna
Alex Hartman, Kettle Run
Angel Ceron-Garcia, Tuscarora
Cade Petty, Sherando
Grant Tolber, Western Albemarle
Forrest White, Western Albemarle
Tim Coleman, Kettle Run
Sergio Resendiz, Tuscarora
Shane Moyer, Millbrook
Rodrigo Casteriana, Sherando

Second Team

Soccer: Briar Woods Sweeps to Boys, Girls Region II Titles over rivals Tuscarora, Woodgrove; Broad Run Boys Fall in Northwest Final

(June 4, 2013) - The Briar Woods High School boys and girls soccer teams captured their first ever Region II titles Friday with wins over Dulles District rivals with the Falcon boys beating Tuscarora, 2-1, in Leesburg and the Falcon girls dramatically beating Woodgrove, 1-0, in overtime in Ashburn.

All four teams advance to tonight's AA state quarterfinals with Briar Woods hosting a doubleheader with the boys facing Culpeper at 5:30 p.m. and the girls hosting Jamestown at 7:30 p.m. The Tuscarora boys are on the road vs. Lafayette at Wanner Stadium at 7 p.m. and the Wolverine girls travel to Courtland for a 6 p.m. start.

A win would advance each team to this weekend's Final Four which will be held at Radford on Friday and Saturday.

In AAA boys action, Broad Run fell in a high-scoring affair to Forest Park in the Northwest Region finals, 5-4. The Spartans are at Northern Region champion Oakton tonight at 7 p.m.

Game recaps:

Tuscarora: Huskies Hold College Signing Ceremony for Seven Seniors

(May 31, 2013) - Tuscarora High School hosted a signing ceremony on May 29 for seven Husky athletes that will continue their athletic careers in college. The athletes represented the football, softball, and soccer programs.
Front Row:
Ally Kuhn (Softball- Stockton College )
Annie Hartman (Soccer – Virginia Wesleyan)
Brittany McCullock (Softball – Green Mountain College)
Back Row:
Myron Hernandez (Soccer – Shepard University)
Darrius Anderson (Football – Bluefield College)
Drew Davidson (Football – Christopher Newport University)
Adrien Stinger (Football – St. Francis College).

Soccer: 4 for States! Briar Woods Sweeps Boys, Girls DH; Woodgrove Girls Keep Rolling, Tuscarora Boys Survive OT Scare

(May 31, 2013) - The Briar Woods High School boys and girls soccer teams were simply bigger and stronger than their opponents Thursday as they muscled their way into the AA state tournament with the boys edging Park View, 2-1, and the girls dominating Tuscarora, 3-0, in a Region II semifinal doubleheader in Ashburn.

It will be an all-Dulles District Region II finals in soccer yet again as the Woodgrove girls continued their postseason offensive explosion behind senior Sarah Hardison with a 3-0 win at Fauquier and the Tuscarora boys remained unbeaten on Diego Rodriguez's goal in overtime for a 1-0 win over Sherando.

Tuscarora will host Briar Woods at 7 p.m. in Leesburg in the Region II boys final tonight and Briar Woods will  host Woodgrove at 7 p.m. in the girls final. All four teams advance to next week's AA state tournament, which the Woodgrove girls won in 2012 and the Tuscarora boys finished runner-up. (Read on for recaps of all four games plus a look at the all-time series records for the teams in the finals)

State Tournament Scorecard: 15 Loudoun Teams Make States Including 5 from Woodgrove

(May 29, 2013) - A total 15 Loudoun teams qualified for state tournaments this spring including five teams from Woodgrove High School. Briar Woods, with three, and Broad Run, with two, were the only other schools with multiple teams moving on past region. Eight of the 13 Loudoun schools had at least one team make States.

College Choice Chart: Class of 2013 Now Up to 171 Athletes Committed to Play at Next Level

(May 30, 2013) - The Viva Loudoun College Choice Chart is now up to 171 athletes from the Class of 2013 that will play at the next level. Recently added from Tuscarora High School:

• Logan Feierbach (XC/Track) William and Mary
• Brittany McCullock (Softball) Green Mountain College
• Myron Hernandez (soccer) Shepherd

And from Stone Bridge High School, Trevor Mack will play ice hockey at IUP.

Last year the Class of 2012 set a record with 207 athletes committed. This year's class is the second largest with Class of 2010 at 159 and the Class of 2011 at 145.

 

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora's Carey Moves from Midfield to Forward, then Moves Huskies Forward to Region II Semifinals with Two Goals

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Leesburg (May 28, 2013) - Tuscarora High School’s Justin Carey transitioned from center midfielder to forward at just the right time as he connected with the game’s only goals in the 55th and 65th minutes giving the Huskies the advantage over Potomac Falls, 2-0, in the Region II quarterfinals Tuesday.

“We took him out of the central midfield and moved him up to striker just trying to get another push from somebody else, a little bit of effort up there,” said Tuscarora coach Dave Gryder, who notched career win No. 200 with the victory. “He got the ball at a good opportunity and made a good shot. He’s got the scoring ability. We’re using him at center midfielder this year to control the ball, but we know he can finish.”

Boys Soccer: Region II Bracket - Potomac Falls and Tuscarora Clash in Quarterfinals

(May 28, 2013) - The Region II boys soccer quarterfinals feature a match-up between the top two Dulles District regular-season teams as Potomac Falls is at Tuscarora tonight. Park View and Briar Woods are both on the road with the Patriots at Kettle Run and The Falcons at Western Albemarle.

Region II Boys Soccer 2013 Tournament
First Round - Monday, May 27
Park View 1, Millbrook 1 (2OT, PV advances on PKs, 3-2)
Potomac Falls 3, Fluvanna 2

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, May 28
Park View 2, Kettle Run 0
Briar Woods 1, Western Albemarle, 1 (2OT, BW advances on PKs, 6-5)
Tuscarora 2, Potomac Falls 0
Sherando 6, Warren County 0

Semifinals - Thursday, May 30
Park View at Briar Woods, 6 p.m.
Sherando at Tuscarora, 7 p.m.

Finals - Friday, May 31

Girls Soccer: Region II Bracket - 3 Dulles District Teams in Quarterfinals

(May 28, 2013) - The Region II girls soccer quarterfinals feature three Dulles District teams in ction tonight with Briar Woods hosting Charlottesville, Woodgrove at Western Albemarle and Tuscarora at Kettle Run.

Girls Soccer Region II 2013 Tournament
First Round - Monday, May 27
Woodgrove 6, Loudoun County 2
Tuscarora 4, Sherando 0

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, May 28
Woodgrove 5, Western Albemarle 1
Fauquier 4, Millbrook 3
Tuscarora 1, Kettle Run 0 (OT)
Briar Woods 2, Charlottesville 0

Semifinals at high seed - Thursday, May 30
Woodgrove at Fauquier, 6 p.m.
Tuscarora at Briar Woods, 8 p.m.

Finals at high seed - Friday, May 31

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora Boys Soccer Add Dulles Tournament Title to Resume

(May 27, 2013) - The Tuscarora High School boys soccer remained unbeaten on the year with a 1-0 win over Briar Woods in the Dulles District tournament championship game which was suspended Thursday night and complete on Friday.

Huskies midfielder Sergio Resendiz scored on a free kick after the game restarted with about 18 minutes left on Friday to give Tuscarora the title. The Huskies are 17-0-2 on the year and looking for a return trip to the state playoffs, where they finished runner-up in 2012, when the Region II tournament starts this week. Tuscarora hosts the winner of Potomac Falls at Fluvanna on Tuesday in the regional quarterfinals.

Photos courtesy Carl Lukat/Loudoun Times-Mirror

Video: Girls Soccer - Tuscarora at Dominion (May 3 Game of the Week)

(May 27, 2013) - Tuscarora High School girls soccer team is just one of 10 Dulles District teams in Region II action today. Here are the highlights from when the Huskies played Dominion to a 1-1 tie on May 3 as part of Viva Loudoun's Game of the Week:

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora's Angel Ceron-Garcia Named Dulles District Player of the Year

(May 21, 2013) - Tuscarora High School senior Angel Ceron-Garcia, who helped to lead the unbeaten Huskies to a regular-season Dulles District boys soccer title, has been named the district's Player of the Year in a vote of the coaches Monday night. Tuscarora's Dave Gryder was named the Coach of the Year.

Dulles District Boys Soccer Team
First Team
Angel Ceron-Garcia (SR) Tuscarora
Ian Fuller (SR) Woodgrove
Amilcar Lara-Torres (SR) Dominion
Jon Mackey (JR) Loudoun Co.
James Moreno (JR) Loudoun Co.
Alejandro Niera-Jimenez (SR) Dominion
Edgar Resendiz (JR) Tuscarora
Sergio Resendiz (SO) Tuscarora
Jacob Theil (SR) Heritage
Collin Verfurth (JR) Briar Woods
Keeper: Adam Kight (SR) Tuscarora

Second Team 

Lacrosse: Loudoun Teams Sweep Into Sectional Semifinals

Corley Simons and the Loudoun Valley girls lacrosse team advanced

(May 21, 2013) - Last year the AA Northern Sectional finals was an all-Loudoun affair and this year is shaping up to be a repeat as four local teams won first round games Monday night to advance to the sectional semifinals Wednesday.

The Woodgrove boys went on the road for a 15-4 win at Culpeper and the Tuscarora girls made the bus trip to Fauquier worth their it with a 23-16 victory. Here at home, a pair of all-Dulles District first games saw the home teams prevail with the Dominion boys tripling up on Briar Woods, 15-5, and the Loudoun Valley girls doubling Loudoun County, 20-10.

The Woodgrove boys and Tuscarora girls now have to face the Dulles District regular-season and tournament champions in the semifinals: the Loudoun County boys and Woodgrove girls. The winner of those semifinals will clinch a state bid and advance to the sectional finals.

The Dominion boys will be on the road at Fauquier and the Loudoun Valley girls will be at Kettle Run in the other semifinals.

Boys Lax: Woodgrove 15, Culpeper 4
Wolverine fans were "Loving" their team's play Monday with Jack Loving scoring six goals with three assists in the runaway. Jeremy Kendall dished out five assists and Ryan Reynolds had nine saves in goal.

Other goals from Woodgrove came from: Kyle Reilly (2), Sam Weber (2), Conner Loving (1), Kellen McCarthy (1), Matt Sears (1) and Trey Rustand (1). Assists were recorded by: Kellen McCarthy (1) and Kyle Reilly (1).

Girls Lax: Loudoun Valley 20, Loudoun County 10
It was just 5-3 at the half before the Vikings exploded for 15 second-half goals to advance to the sectional semifinals. Junior Corley Simons led the way with six goals for Valley while a host of players had hat tricks including senior Megan Williamson, sophomore Maya Ebrahimnejad, junior Ashlyn DiLoreto and junior Courtney Schollian.

Sophomore Haley Shuford had 12 saves in goal for the Vikes.

A key to the strong second half was the draw control by Simons and Ebrahimnejad's dominance on ground balls.

Also scoring for Valley were junior Sarah Ashworth and sophomore Lily Hamilton. Assists were recorded by Ashworth (2), Williamson (1), and Ebrahimnejad (1).

Lacrosse: AA Northern Sectional Starts Tonight

(May 20, 2013) - The AA Northern Sectional boys and girls lacrosse tournament starts tonight and some of the match-ups may look familiar to Dulles District fans as the Dominion High School boys host Briar Woods and the Loudoun Valley girls host Loudoun County.

In the other two first round games, the Woodgrove boys are at Culpeper and the Tuscarora girls are at Fauquier. On the boys side, Loudoun County and Fauquier have byes and on the girls side, Woodgrove and Kettle Run have byes.

Boys Lacrosse

AA Northern Sectional First Round

Briar Woods at Dominion

Woodgrove at Culpeper

Girls Lacrosse

AA Northern Sectional First Round

Loudoun County at Loudoun Valley

Tuscarora at Fauquier