Landstown sets a new bar, but falls in semifinals

CHANTILLY — The Landstown boys soccer team’s historic season ended Friday.

The Eagles (13-2-3) fell to Langley 3-1 in the program’s first Class 6 state semifinal appearance at Freedom High.

“It seemed like whatever we tried to do, they were just a step ahead of us,” Landstown coach Ryan Gillespie said.

Langley controlled possession wire-to-wire, buckling only once when Landstown’s Ryan Walsh finished a counter attack for an equalizing goal at 1-1. The Saxons added two more second-half goals to advance.

“We weren’t finding side-toside passes,” Gillespie said, “but they’re super athletic and super quick to go press that even if you could find that pass, it would’ve been difficult because they were always in your back pocket.”

Gillespie led the 2006 Landstown team to its previous milestone of the state quarterfinals and believed he had the squad to make magic happen.

“I knew we had the players,” Gillespie said, “but I didn’t know if everything would just come together for us and it did to get us here. So a new bar is set for Landstown and hopefully it doesn’t take another 10 to 20 years to get back here.”

Seniors Matt Sabater and Zach Richards were two of those cornerstone players.

“There’s no one guy on this team that stands out,” Richards said. “Every coach, every player, every trainer had an impact on how far we got this season.”

The four-year journey was priceless for Sabater.

“Even though we’re not coming home with a title,” Sabater said, “I wouldn’t trade the world for the experience I had and how much I love my coaches, my teammates I’ve had over the years.

“You never think four age-groups of kids would grow so close in a small amount of time.”

The team’s traditions and mantras bound them.

“Having a board that says, ‘Find a way,’ when we come out of the locker room or bus when we’re away,” Richards said. “We just punch it as hard as we can and we chant, ‘Find a way.’ And in the middle before the game when we get down on one knee and pray. That’ll stay with me forever.”

Gillespie is sure Richards and Sabater’s impact will endure.

“With those two kids and what they bring to this team,” Gillespie said, “the leadership, the abilities, the qualities, absolutely top-notch players for this area, for the state of Virginia and for Landstown. They’ve done more than any other player here, so they’ve left their mark and I hope they understand.”

“Even though we’re not coming home with a title. I wouldn’t trade the world for the experience I had and how much I love my coaches, my teammates I’ve had over the years” Matt Sabater