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.

 

Video: Ice Hockey - Briar Woods NVSHL Title Win Over Langley by Tyler Bailey

(March 11, 2013) - Viva Loudoun video intern Tyler Bailey shot this great highlight film of Briar Woods High School's 7-2 win over Langley in the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League finals.

Photo Gallery: Ice Hockey - Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge NVSHL Semi by Steven Holland

(March 8, 2013) - Want to relive the exciting last week of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League, then check out talented photographer Steven Holland's huge photo gallery from the Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge (Battle of IceBurn!) semifinal game. 321 photos total!

Photo Gallery: Ice Hockey - Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge NVSHL Semifinal by Aaron Wyche

(March 5, 2013) - Photographer Aaron "The Great One" Wyche was on hand to shoot last week's big Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey semifinal showdown between Briar Woods and Stone Bridge. Check out all 73 shots here!

Ice Hockey: Briar Woods Skates by Langley, 7-2, to Take First NVSHL Title

(March 2, 2013) - The Briar Woods High School ice hockey team captured its first ever Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League title with a convincing 7-2 win over Langley Friday night at Kettler. Early in the year Langley had beaten the Falcons, 2-1, but it was all Briar Woods Friday.

NVHSL Past Champions
2001-02 Stone Bridge
2002-03 Stone Bridge
2003-04 North Stafford
2004-05 North Stafford/Robinson
2005-06 Woodbridge
2006-07 Osbourn Park
2007-08 Stone Bridge
2008-09 Bishop O'Connell
2009-10 Woodbridge
2010-11 Stone Bridge
2011-12 Stone Bridge
2012-13 Briar Woods

Ice Hockey: Briar Woods Bumps Off 2-Time Defending Champion Stone Bridge, 5-2, to advance to NVSHL Finals

(Feb. 27, 2013) - The Briar Woods High School ice hockey team avenged a defeat in last year's NVSHL finals to Stone Bridge by knocking off the top seeded and two-time defending Bulldogs, 5-2, Wednesday night in a semifinal at the Ashburn Ice House.

The Falcons now face Langley Friday at 7 p.m. in the finals at Kettler. Langley advanced with a 5-1 win over Woodbridge.

Briar Woods fell to Langley in the final game of the regular season, 2-1, on Feb. 10.

Stone Bridge came into Wednesday's contest averaging 8+ goals a game this season and unbeaten at 12-0-0 but the Falcons (7-2-1) which fell behind quickly in the title game a year ago, posted a 3-0 advantage Wednesday and never trailed.

Ice Hockey: Battle of IceBurn? Rivals Briar Woods and Stone Bridge Collide in NVSHL Semifinal Tonight at Ashburn Ice House

Stone Bridge ice hockey is seeking third straight NVSHL title
(photo by Steven Holland from Stone Bridge vs. Broad Gallery)

(Feb. 27, 2013) - Move over Battle of the 'Burn ... we've got the Battle of IceBurn tonight as Ashburn rivals Briar Woods and Stone Bridge collide tonight in a Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League semifinal at 9:20 p.m. at the Ashburn Ice House east rink.

This is a dream match-up as it's a rematch of last year's finals -- won 7-3 by Stone Bridge for a second straight title and fifth all-time -- and a pairing of the league's two highest scoring teams with the two squads coming for a whopping 180 goals in just 23 contests. Heck, each team assaulted the nets for 11 goals in quarterfinal action Monday night.

And these two teams are rivals, part of the so-called "Battle of the Burn" any time one of the three Ashburn area high schools get together  in athletics.

In last year's finals, Stone Bridge to the air out of the contest early with a 6-0 lead. It was a contentious championship with a total of 63 penalty minutes doles out.

News: Washington Caps Alumni Paul Mulvey and Errol Rausse Host Capitals Hockey School at Rolling Ridge Elementary School

Rolling Ridge Elementary School students and staff pose with Capitals alumni Paul Mulvey and Errol Rausse during Hockey School assembly on Nov. 28. 

(Nov. 29, 2012) - Washington Capitals alumni Paul Mulvey and Errol Rausse and mascot Slapshot visited Rolling Ridge Elementary School in Sterling on Wednesday, Nov. 28, for the sixth Capitals Hockey School assembly of the 2012-13 school year.

Ice Hockey: Ashburn Extreme Hosts USA Hockey National Pee Wee Championships Through Sunday

(March 30, 2012) – Hundreds of the best 11 and 12-year-old hockey players from across the country have been in Northern Virginia since Wednesday competing in the USA Hockey 12 & Under Tier II National Championships which run through Sunday, April 1, at the twin rink Ashburn Ice House and SkateQuest Reston facilities. Three local squads – the Ashburn Xtreme (host team), Reston Raiders and Montgomery (MD) Blue Devils – are among the 38 teams, representing 36 different states, in the five-day tournament.

Photo Galleries: Ice Hockey - Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge and Stone Bridge vs. Dominion

(Jan. 31, 2012) - Have you checked out the VivaLoudoun photo galleries from the ice hockey action? We have three galleries up ... two from the Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge overflow crowd from Friday by Tom Lighton and Noah Kling and we expect a third gallery from Steven Holland who has already put up a gallery from the Stone Bridge vs. Dominion game from December.

View the full galleries here:
Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge by Tom Lighton
Briar Woods vs. Stone Bridge by Noah Kling
Stone Bridge vs.Dominion by Steven Holland

Ice Hockey: Stick it to Sarcoma! Dominion and Velocity 5 to Hold Fundraiser to Support Head Coaches Wife

Sterling (Jan. 25, 2012) - The Dominion High School club ice hockey team and Velocity 5 restaurant at Great Falls Plaza are holding a fundraiser on Feb. 7 from 5 to 10 p.m. to support Sharon Heiden, wife of coach Brad Piver, and her fight to recover from sarcoma.

The "Stick it to Sarcoma" fundraiser will help the Heiden/Piver family with on-going medical bills with 10 percent of all purchases going to the family. Andrew Tufano of the hockey team will provide live music.

Heiden's son Austin is a sophomore on teh team, which is wearing special patches on their jerseys in honor of Heiden's heroic fight. She was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma last April and had two major surgeries at Boston's Mass General Hospital in the fall. Sharon Heiden is cancer-free today and undergoing intensive physical therapy.

Ice Hockey: Broad Run DECA to Raise Funds for Brain Injury Services at Spartan vs. Falcon Rivalry Match

(Dec. 6, 2011) - Broad Run High School DECA will be raising awareness and funds for Brain Injury Services at the Spartans ice hockey rivalry match Sunday Dec. 11 against Briar Woods. The Spartans and Falcons drop the puck at 8:10 p.m. at the Ashburn Ice House with free admission.

DECA will have a table set up and there will be a 50-50 raffle to raise funds. Also, 15 percent of the proceeds from food and drink purchases at Pomodoro located at the Ice House. Brain Injury Services helps those with traumatic brain injuries.

Photo Gallery: Stone Bridge Skates to NVSHL Title with 7-2 Win Over McLean

(Feb. 26, 2011) - The Stone Bridge High School ice hockey team skated to the Northern Virgina Scholastic Hockey League title Friday night with a 7-2 win over McLean and Tom Lighton was on hand to bring back some great photos! Please click on any photo to view Tom's full gallery.

Read the Washington Post article on the Bulldogs big win.

Ice Hockey: Loudoun Valley's Andrew Creamer Collects Hobey Baker Character Award for Vikes

(June 4, 2010) - Loudoun Valley High School senior Andrew Creamer picked up the Hobey Baker Character Award for the Vikes ice hockey club team.

This award is given to a high school senior from each team who is recognized for their character and sportsmanship. In college, the award is given to a single player and is viewed in the same vein as the Heishman trophy award.

If you know of a Hobey Baker Character Award winner and want to honor them on VivaLoudoun, drop us a note!

Ice Hockey: Stone Bridge Slips Out of the Playoffs in 6-3 Semifinal Loss to Woodbridge

(Feb. 25, 2010) - For the second straight year the Stone Bridge High School ice hockey season ended a game too soon for the Bulldogs liking as the No. 1 seed and previously unbeaten SB was bounced from the NVSHL playoffs with a 6-3 semifinal loss Wednesday at the Ashburn Ice House to Woodbridge.

Just a week earlier, Stone Bridge had beaten Woodbridge, 3-1, to finish the regular season 10-0-0. In the quarterfinals the Bulldogs romped past Paul VI, 10-0, to bring their goals for total to 93 on the season with just seven scored against.

Woodbridge, however, nearly matched that seven goal total in one game as the Vikes jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with Dylan Talbot scoring both. The Bulldogs fought back in the second, tying the game with goals by Conor Donovan and Brian Bock but before the period ended, Woodbridge went back up on a Taylor Bachman goal.

The Vikes then put it out of reach with brothers Tony and Steve Cordova scoring in the third. Andrew Baron got one back for SB but Talbot finished the night off with a hat trick.

Woodbridge will face Herndon, a 5-4 winner over Langley in the other semifinal.

SB outshot the Vikes 39-30 in the loss. Last year, SB was stunned by Bishop O'Connell in overtime in the semifinals.

NVSHL Playoffs
First Round
Paul VI 5, McLean 4
Oakton 3, Potomac Falls 2
Briar Woods 4, Madison 2

Quarterfinals
Woodbridge 7, Westfield 5
Stone Bridge 10, Paul VI 0
Langley 2, Briar Woods 0
Herndon 5, Oakton 2

Semifinals
Woodbridge 6, Stone Bridge 3
Herndon 5, Langley 4

Ice Hockey: Stone Bridge Secures No. 1 Playoff Spot with Win Over Woodbridge; Briar Woods, Potomac Falls Skate in Playoffs Tonight

(Feb. 19, 2010) - The Stone Bridge high School ice hockey team finished an undefeated regular season and wrapped up the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League No. 1 playoff seed with a 3-1 win over Woodbridge on Wednesday.

No. 6 seed Briar Woods (7-2-1) opens the playoffs tonight against No. 11 Madison (4-5-1) at 6:15 p.m. at the Ashburn Ice House East. No. 9 Potomac Falls (5-3-2) goes against No. 8 Oakton (7-3-0) at 6:15 p.m. in Reston at SkateQuest. Broad Run, a traditional power, did not make the playoffs at 3-5-2.

The three-time league champion Bulldogs (01-02, 02-03, 07-08) finish the regular season 10-0-0 with 83 goals scored and just seven allowed. On Wednesday, after a scoreless first period, Stone Bridge struck for two goals in less than two minutes midway through the second with Dillon Miller and Andrew Baron scoring.

The Vikings scored in the final seconds of the second to make it 2-1 heading into the third but SB goalie Tanner Jones was solid in the third and Josh Buckingham added an insurance goal with 14:20 left in the contest.

NVSHL Playoffs seeds
1, Stone Bridge (10-0-0)
2, Herndon (9-1-0)
3, Langley (8-1-1)
4, Woodbridge (7-2-0)
5, Westfield (8-2-0)
6, Briar Woods (7-2-1)
7, McLean (7-3-0)
8, Oakton (7-3-0)
9, Potomac Falls (5-3-2)
10, Paul VI (5-4-1)
11, Madison (4-5-1)
12, winner of Forest Park vs. St.Stephens/St.Agnes game Sat.

NVSHL Playoffs
Round 1: Friday, February 19
Game 1 Briar Woods vs Madison 6:15 PM PM AIH East
Game 2 Potomac Falls vs Oakton 6:15 PM SkateQuest of Reston (Oly)
Game 3 McLean vs Paul VI 8:00 PM SkateQuest of Reston (Oly)

Sunday, February 21/2010
Game 4 Westfield vs TBD 7:30 PM AIH East

Stone Bridge 3, Woodbridge 1
Wednesday February 17, 2010
Ashburn Ice House - West

Scoring
1st Period
No Scoring

2nd Period
9:07 Stone Bridge 8 Dillon Miller (Assisted by: 16 Rosenblatt)
7:10 Stone Bridge 99 Andrew Baron (Assisted by: 24 Ross)
0:27 Woodbridge 14 Dylan Talbot

3rd Period
14:20 Stone Bridge 21 Joshua Buckingham


Penalties
1st Period
8:47 Stone Bridge 24 Ross Slashing 2 minutes

2nd Period
8:29 Woodbridge 32 Cordova Roughing 2 minutes
4:54 Stone Bridge 12 Donovan Tripping 2 minutes
1:32 Woodbridge 21 Kostrzebski Holding 2 minutes
0:27 Stone Bridge 77 Young Slashing 2 minutes

3rd Period
14:36 Stone Bridge 91 Bullen Kneeing 2 minutes

Ice Hockey: Stone Bridge Blasts Broad Run, 10-3, to Improve to 9-0-0

(Feb. 14, 2010) - Of course the first sport back in action after the back-to-back storms would be ice hockey as Stone Bridge High School Friday blasted rival Broad Run, 10-3, at the Ashburn Ice House.

The Bulldogs (9-0-0) are now the only unbeaten team in the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League as Woodbridge (7-1-0) fell on the same night to Chantilly, 7-4. Stone Bridge hosts Woodbridge this Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Ashburn Ice House west rink.

In Friday's win, Andrew Baron, the second leading scorer in the league, poured in four goals and an assist but more impressively 13 other SB skaters registered goals or assists or both. Leading that bench-long parade was Anthony Moffa with a goal and two assists and Patrick Young with three assists.

Josh Buckingham (1 goal, 1 assist), Parker Delaney (1 goal, 1 assist), Garrett Pohl (goal), Conor Donovan (goal) and Erin Dice (1 goal) all found the back of the net while Tucker Ross (2 assists), Joshua Kuzbel (assist), Brad Bullen (assist), Trevor Mack (assist) and John Zambrotta (assist) all assisted.

For Broad Run the three goals was a moral victory as Stone Bridge had only allowed three goals total in the first eight games and is now out-scoring opponents, 80-6, on the season. Ray D'Argenio scored twice for the Spartans and Taylor Rook added a goal and Craig Scheider had an assist.

Baron now has 15 goals and 24 assists on the season for SB while Moffa has scored 13 with 17 assists.

Ice Hockey: All-Star Game Iced Out Over the Weekend; Stone Bridge Shuts Out Briar Woods

(Feb. 1, 2010) - The all-star ice hockey game between the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League and Maryland was postponed on Saturday due to snow and ice. Go figure!

Stone Bridge High School did get in its big game Friday night at the Ashburn Ice House against new rival Briar Woods with the Bulldogs improving to 7-0-0 on the season with a 4-0 shutout. Andrew Baron had two goals and two assists. Anthony Moffa also scored and had two assists and Parker Delaney had a goal and an assist. Patrick Young added an assists.

Tanner Jones saved nine shots in the shutout. On the season, Stone Bridge has out-scored opponents, 60-3. BW goalie Tyler Lefebvre faced 38 shots in the game.

Even though they didn't get to skate Saturday, here are the players honored by being put on the NVSHL All-Star roster for the game:

Ice Hockey Notebook: Undefeated Stone Bridge Faces Briar Woods Friday in Key Match-up

(Jan. 27, 2010) - Currently the only two undefeated teams in the 24-club NVHSL are Stone Bridge (6-0-0) and Woodbridge (5-0-5). The Bulldogs have been crushing the opposition this season, out-scoring teams 56-3. Andrew Baron leads SB with nine goals and 13 assists followed by Anthony Moffa with seven goals and 10 assists.

Stone Bridge skates against Briar Woods (6-1-1) on Friday at 9:30 p.m. at the Ashbun Ice House West with first place on the line in the West Division.

Herndon is 8-1 in the Central Division but lost, 10-1, to Stone Bridge. Woodbridge, always a power, is leading the South and Langley is on top in the North at 7-1.

Stone Bridge finishes the regular season with a stellar schedule with Bishop O'Connell on Jan. 31, Woodbridge on Feb. 5 and then rival Broad Run on Feb. 12.

Briar Woods tied Broad Run, 3-3, on Dec. 20 and the Falcons only loss is to Herndon, 6-3. Devin Brink has seven goals and nine assists for BW and Michael Reist has 12 goals and two assists.

Cole Taggart leads BR with eight goals and four assists. The Spartans are 3-3-1. BR has lost to Herndon, Woodbridge and Fairfax/Potomac.

Potomac Falls is 3-3-1 in the North with David Brobst with seven goals and one assist. The Panthers recently lost to division leader Langley, 7-1.

Loudoun County is looking for its first win in the West with an 0-4-1 start. Max Lento and Eric Bobel have four goals each for the Raiders.

On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa: Welcome to My New Website!

It has been some week for the LPS Monkey!

On Monday DigitalSports.com, the parent company of LoudounPrepSports.com, was bought out by Vantage Learning. (Read the press release here!).

It appeared that I might be staying with LPS for another high school sports year (our fifth!) but I wasn't able to come to terms with the new owners and thus this morning was my last as "editor" of LoudounPrepSports.com.

Wow. That sounds weird after all the days and nights of coverage but it was a great ride and I truly enjoyed every minute of it (Time out Dan: Every minute? OK, thunderstorms, frostbite and insect bites not withstanding.)

I wish the new owners well and hopefully LoudounPrepSports.com lives long and prospers (sorry to go all Star Trek on ya) ... may the LPS Monkey be old enough that he can't peel his own bananas anymore!

So ... what is next for the Old Sportswriter? Well, I love covering Loudoun high school sports so I will be doing as much as that as possible for other outlets (Carl Lukat, sports of Loudoun Times-Mirror: Call Me!) and I'll use this website and my "On the Sideline" blog as an outlet for those "Rambling" thoughts of mine.

And I want to do more than just sports this time around ... sports are great but other educational activites and news are interesting as well plus other issues that are near and dear to the hearts of those I have gotten to know.

Stay tuned!