There’s a certain aura and mystique that surround the select teams that can navigate to the postseason without tasting defeat.
North Hagerstown’s boys soccer program has a chance to do just that, but it won’t be easy as the Hubs face two winning teams in their final two games of the season.
The road to a potential undefeated season resumes for North Hagerstown on Saturday afternoon when the Hubs pack their bags for a road match at Walkersville. The Lions would love nothing more than to spoil the fun for North Hagerstown but will have a tough task against the high-powered Hubs.
We’ve selected this star-studded matchup as our Game of the Week.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
North Hagerstown at Walkersville
Kickoff: Saturday, 1:30 p.m., at Walkersville
Records: North Hagerstown is 12-0-1, while Walkersville checks in with an 8-3-1 record.
Last game: The Hubs steamrolled Clear Spring by an 8-0 shutout, while the Lions saw a four-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss to South Carroll.
Last meeting: North Hagerstown clipped Walkersville by a 1-0 score in last year’s matchup.
Meet the Hubs: Opponents have had 13 chances to break up North Hagerstown’s undefeated season, and not only have those foes fallen short each time, they haven’t even been able to keep it close against Uriel Galvan’s Hubs. North Hagerstown is averaging nearly five goals per match, and only two teams have been able to stay within one goal of the Hubs. Senior midfield player Drew Lobley, a 2022 All-State Honorable Mention selection, has scored goals in bunches this fall. Lobley leads a capable group that includes forwards Bryson Rohrer, Hector Diaz, and Jayden Gray, midfielders Cooper Byard, Owen Bennett, and Juan Rosero, and defender Sean Donley. We’ve made it deep into this preview without even mentioning another 2023 All-State Honorable Mention player — junior goalkeeper Darius Geaman — who has helped guide the Hubs to eight shutout victories. North Hagerstown would love to have a chance to get to the postseason undefeated, but they’ll have to take care of business against a battle-hardened Walkersville squad to do so.
Meet the Lions: Walkersville won’t be intimidated by undefeated North Hagerstown, as Zach Hommey’s Lions enter this high-powered matchup with a potent and senior-heavy lineup. Walkersville employs a balanced offensive attack that can strike from all over the field, with James Stier (7 goals, 2 assists) and Sean Bosco (6, 3) leading a group that also includes Evan Boledovic (5, 1), Yeiferson Mendez (4, 2), and Henry Van Orden (3, 0). The Lions are anchored defensively by a pair of junior goalkeepers in Kollin Purgason (46 saves) and Nathan Ramsay (17 saves), who have combined for six shutouts this fall. Walkersville has won five of its last seven games, so the Lions should have the confidence and the talent to compete with North Hagerstown, but they’ll have to be playing at a postseason level to actually get the job done.
Sandrik’s pick: Hubs by 2.
