Cosby’s McDaniel earns MVP honor

NEWPORT NEWS -- It was a season of triumphs for Cosby's boys soccer team, and one Titan can add a final achievement to his high school career.

Patrick McDaniel, who will play for Longwood this fall, was named MVP of last night's VHSCA all-star game. McDaniel didn't take a minute off, playing defense and adding an assist at the other end of the field as the East team rolled to a 2-0 victory.

"This is definitely one of my highest awards," McDaniel said after receiving the MVP plaque.

The Richmond area was well represented on a squad coached by Cosby's Mike Anderson. Titans forward Nick DeProspero played, as did Ian Major of Lee Davis and Josh Rice of Midlothian.

Evan Jones of Midlothian attended the game but was unable to play due to injury.

Intensity was not a problem as both sides came out running -- it took just 18 seconds before the first shot on goal was registered for the East team.

Nine minutes in, McDaniel, prowling near the side of the goalkeeper's box, used his head to steer a free kick to East teammate Andrew Bonorden of Grafton. Bonorden finished for the game's first goal.

"They were packing it in down in front because we had a lot of big guys," McDaniel said. "It just happened to come to me."

Coming along a little slower was chemistry on the defensive end, where it was a mesh of players who weren't too familiar with each other.

"We were definitely out of position a few times at the beginning, but we improved as the game went on," McDaniel said.

With four minutes to play in the first half, Devin Pierce of Ocean Lakes added another goal for the East.

DeProspero came close a few times, most notably creating a physical battle with a West defender for position on a breakaway. Major showed off his speed during attacks but was unable to break through, while Rice launched two rockets from about 25 yards away that missed wide.

"I was playing the center-mid, so anything that came out, I tried to finish," he said. He added that it was an enjoyable game, even as it got more intense and physical resulting in a yellow card for the West in the second half.

The boys played under the lights at Christopher Newport after the girls game was decided by penalty kicks. No Richmond-area players participated. The East team won 4-4 (4-2) after Nicole Cunningham of Grafton punched in the fourth penalty kick for her side.

MVP honors went to Rebecca Gold, goalkeeper for the East from Ocean Lakes, and Krystina Rodriguez, a forward for the West and graduate of Stone Bridge.