Riverside had a lot of seniors that left but also had alot of freshman that played on varsity last year as well. They will be a yound team but still talented. Don't know if they can get past Eastside this year though. Should be a good match.
Greco3: I give alot of credit to the players that won state last year. How many players that were in the game when it ended last year will be starting this year?
After a quick count off the top of my head there were 9 or 10 returning players that played a significant role in Riversides success last year...at least 4 or 5 of them significant roles in the championship game. In my opinion the keeper position will be some of the biggest shoes to fill along with the senior leadership lost in the back.
I enjoyed reading all last year how no one was going to compete with Eastside...especially when the RHS boys knocked them out on their home field to end their season. There is one particular fan for Eastside that YELLS AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS (and his kid doesn't even play there anymore)...it was so nice to silence him last year. There is no doubt that Eastside is loaded with talent but so was Greenville (Ranked #1 in the Nation at the time) back in 2006 when the Riverside boys sent them packing as well and eventually went on to win States.
In addition to the talent returning to RHS they have some great new players that have moved back into the area.
My son is one of the seniors who has moved on after two State Championships during his 4 years (they weren't SUPPOSE to win either one). I will continue to watch and support Coach Dender and the Warriors and hope that they continue the winning tradition associated with RHS Soccer.
GVLSoccerDad: I support the Warriors also, who will be the leaders and who do you think has earned the right to wear the captains bands? Castro,King,Peter's that's alot of leadership that won't be around, not to mention your keeper.
9 or 10 players returning that played a significant role on the team? That would basically be the whole bench. They will be a solid young team but thae dont have enough talent returning to challenge Eastside and Mann in the upperstate.
SweetFeet05...you are correct...that was most of the bench...that depth was one of the biggest factors. The young guys that got a chance to play down at USC really stepped up. Who knows how they will compete against Eastside and Mann but no one ever thought the Warriors would beat GHS in '06 and EHS in '08 and capture two State Championships during those seasons...do you agree with that?
The sting of losing last year may be exactly what Eastside needs this year. The sting that RHS inflicted on GHS in '06 certainly carried over to '07 when GHS went undefeated.
Looking forward to seeing the Warriors this season.
