Lancaster High School varsity boys soccer team members, from left, are (front row) TJ Morning, Brian Moody and Carter Robbins; (next row) Paul Chambers, Cole Schomer, Matthew Joyner, Patrick Kelly, Matt Moss, Kevin Thomas and Tristopher Palmer; (next row) Weston Schomer, Nick Green, Jack Kelly, Connor Donahue, Tanner Steensma, Kyle Bennett, Sean Jones and coach Chris Felthouse. Photo by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi

Brian Moody scored two goals and Paul Chambers and Patrick Kelly stuck one in each to lead Lancaster in the opening win.

"I have high expectations for this season," said new head coach Chris Felthouse, an LHS graduate and soccer alumni. "This is a dream come true for me. I played soccer for Lancaster from 1999 to 2005, with hopes of being able to come back one day to coach. I love every minute of it."

Felthouse has 11 returning players, but only two seniors on what he calls a team "still mostly built of young players."

Moody, one of Felthouse's seniors, is a starting forward and captain.

"Brian is our big man up top and we expect him to get many of our goals this season," he said.

Moody also had an assist in last Friday's win over the Chargers.

Playing up front with Moody will be freshman Tristopher Palmer and sophomore newcomer Chambers. Returning junior Matthew Joyner and sophomore Kyle Bennett will also get playing time at forward.

Freshman P. Kelly will play both forward and midfield, said Felthouse.

P. Kelly's older brother, junior Jack Kelly, is a returner at midfield. Sophomore Sean Jones and senior TJ Morning also return to the midfield.

"Jack is a very key player for our team," said Felthouse, "and my wings in the midfield are very solid with TJ on the right side and Sean on the left."

Jones had two assists in the season opener.

Freshman newcomer Cole Schomer will play both midfield and defender as will his brother, junior returner Weston Schomer.

"Weston played an outstanding game against Middlesex and was everywhere," said Felthouse. "Weston will hold the midfield and defense down."

Also returning to the defense are sophomores Carter Robbins and Nick Green and junior Kevin Thomas. Newcomers to the defense are freshman Tanner Steensma and sophomores Matt Moss and Jerry Freizer.

"Our defense is primarily built of young players, including two freshmen and a sophomore in Cole, Tanner and Carter. They will be challenged many times this season, but I think they will be ready for what comes at them."

Returning to the key position of goalkeeper is junior Connor Donahue, who had 10 saves against the Chargers.

"This is a tight-knit team," said Felthouse. "Most have played YMCA together as young kids and, along with the upper classmen on the team, they should be fine. Lancaster will surprise a lot of teams this season, but no game is a given and they must never let up until the whistle blows."

The Red Devils will play Middlesex again tomorrow night (March 22) in Saluda and will host Mathews next Wednesday, March 27. Because Lancaster does not have a junior varsity team, varsity games begin at 6 p.m. this year.

2013 SOCCER:

March 22 at Middlesex

March 27 Mathews

April 12 Rappahannock

April 17 at Essex

April 19 King William

April 24 at Washington & Lee

April 26 Northumberland

May 1 at Rappahannock

May 3 Essex

May 10 Washington & Lee

May 13 at King William

May 15 at Northumberland