Virginia Soccer

Syracuse, which is leaving the BIG EAST to join the ACC, came back from two goals down after 13 minutes and beat Virginia Commonwealth University, 3-2, on Louis Clark’s golden goal in the 108th minute to advance to the third round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Tournament for the first time…..The Virginia Youth Soccer Association award winners for 2012 have been announced and will be presented at the VYSA Convention on Feb. 1, 2013, in Richmond. The four coach of the year awards went to Larry Best (Girls Competitive), Kevin McKenna (Boys Competitive), Eric Huweart (Girls Recreation) and Camile Louis (Boys Recreation). Ed Bonilla is the VYSA Volunteer of the Year and Peggy Borgard was Administrator of the Year. TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year went to Will Olson. Best, Louis and Olson are also Region I winneers. The Young Female Referee of the Year is Lexi Hodgson and the Young Male Referee of the Year is Daniel Carroll……Ronnie Pascale, the veteran goalkeeper for the Richmond Kickers, has announced his retirement after 13 seasons as a professional. Prior to signing with the Kickers, Pascale spent his rookie season with the Atlanta Silverbacks out of Furman University where he was named Southern Conference Rookie of the Year in 1995. A four-year starter at Furman University, he was named to the Southern All-Conference team four times, Conference Goalkeeper of the year three times, and was twice named to the Second Team All-South. After his senior season, Pascale was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99)…..D.C. United announced that midfielder Chris Pontius was named to the 2012 MLS Best XI side. Pontius, United’s longest tenured player, had a career campaign in 2012. After suffering season-ending injuries in 2010 and 2011, Pontius set highs in goals (12), games played (31), games started (26), minutes (2,339), shots (71) and shots on goal (29). Six of Pontius’ 12 goals this season were game-winners.