Boys Soccer Coach of the Year: Stonewall Jackson enjoys soccer resurgence
Nate Hissong, Stonewall Jackson -- By David Hubbard
Stonewall Jackson soccer coach Nate Hissong knew it would come — at least he hoped it would come. It was just going to take some time.
Building any respectable program generally does, so Hissong had his work cut out for him five seasons ago.
"The first few seasons were very tough for us," Hissong said. "We had a core of four to five players come back every year, and a few were really good players — but that was it. That's just not good enough.
"We tried to build around those guys, but we never really had the kids. We tried to get good athletes and teach them the game of soccer, but there just wasn't enough commitment. It was frustrating having to start over."
Hissong, the 2004 Northern Virginia Daily Boys Soccer Coach of the Year, had a figure in mind entering preseason practices this year.
"I figured the logical progression was that we would be right around .500," he said. "I think we were definitely ahead of the learning curve a little bit. I was pleasantly surprised."
No kidding. The Generals jumped out to an 11-2 start before losing their final three matches of the season, including twice to Clarke County, the eventual state runner-up. They won the Shenandoah District regular-season title.
"We actually might have peaked a little bit too early this year," Hissong said. "We made goals at the beginning of the year, and we had already met all of them by the end of the regular season. That's not to say that we weren't motivated, but we still had to learn about postseason soccer."
After falling in the semifinals of its district tournament, Stonewall Jackson regrouped in a big way, holding a 1-0 lead on Clarke County, which has played in the Group A state final the last two years, for 78 minutes.
"They had us there for a long time," Clarke County coach Betsy Munson said. "He's really done a great job to establish that program. It's amazing what he's done to bring stability, especially without a JV program."
Munson's playoff-tested bunch did manage to rally for the victory with back-to-back goals in the final two minutes of the match, ending the Generals' season in the Region B quarterfinals.
"We had a great season. We had two postseason games, and those taught us a lot," Hissong said. "The Clarke match in particular showed us that we still have some work to do. At the same time, we have a lot of potential, and we were able to compete with one of the best teams in the state. That's good for us."
The Generals started two juniors, and the rest were sophomores and freshmen. Shenandoah District Player of the Year Charles Metz and his friends will be back.
"We are still such a young team, but we definitely have a few players coming of age," Hissong said. "We were 4-9-2 last year, so this was very encouraging. Every player improved tremendously, and if we get that same improvement next year, the future has to look good."
Added Munson: "It's great for them, and this can only help soccer in our area. He's a really good opponent for me. He's a great challenge, and it makes our team better to play them. It's a good, friendly rivalry. We're not too far down the road, and I look forward to some great battles down the road with this team."
Hissong's bunch will be hoping for another thrilling Region B battle with Clarke County next year — only with a better ending for the Generals.
