McCallie’s Warbrick signs to play soccer with Virginia

Hopeful to win the Division II-AA state soccer championship in Murfreesboro this week, McCallie will look for continued strong play from Matthew Warbrick.

A threat to break away at any time and a smart defender, Warbrick signed Monday to play for the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers won the national championship in 2009 and 2014 and finished last season ranked 10th in the nation.

The Blue Tornado are 11-3-2 overall this season and did not lose to a region opponent. They will face Father Ryan at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in a semifinal Wednesday at 4 p.m. EDT.

Warbrick has been a steady contributor with 10 goals and four assists.

Playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference has paid dividends for former Blue Tornado standouts.

“The last two McCallie guys who played in the ACC were Ben Stafford and Haddon Kirk,” McCallie coach Chris Cushenbery said. “Both went on to be taken in MLS drafts. It’s a great conference, and the standard is extremely high.”

Warbrick is the second soccer player from the Chattanooga area to sign with an ACC school this year, as Omar Hernandez from Georgia Class AAAAAA champion Dalton will play for Wake Forest.

Warbrick comes from a strong family background in sports. His father, Phil, managed the operations of New Zealand’s men’s national team. His mother, Joy, once ran the 100-meter dash in 12.60 seconds.

The Blue Tornado will try for a strong final push to avenge a letdown last postseason after winning the state in 2017.

“Matthew came here to grow as a person, student and player,” Cushenbery said. “He has done all three. He is a pivotal part to our team. We are very excited for him and his future ahead.”

“Matthew came here to grow as a person, student and player. He has done all three.”

– MCCALLIE SOCCER COACH CHRIS CUSHENBERY ON MATTHEW WARBRICK