A soccer legacy at Cape Henry Collegiate
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — When discussing the 2020-2021 Cape Henry Collegiate (CHC) boys soccer team, it’s impossible to avoid a peak in the rearview mirror at the history of this incredible program. Under the direction of head coach Dave Brun, assistant coach Brian Facemire, and assistant coach Dave Liebig, the Dolphins have set the bar for private school soccer excellence in the 757 and the state of Virginia. The Dolphins are the three-time reigning state champions. They have dominated the Tidewater Conference winning the regular season and conference titles for the past four years and have gained national recognition in the past few seasons.
What’s most impressive about this long-term success is the ability for this legendary CHC coaching staff to sustain excellence while each year they graduate incredibly valuable and talented players. It’s safe to say at CHC they do not rebuild, they reload.
The 2020-2021 season was most definitely unique. The governing body for private school sports in Virginia, The Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA), offers boys soccer in the Fall. This year due to COVID, the fall season for the Tidewater Conference was held in the winter and the VISAA did not hold an official state tournament. While this was a disappointment for the 2021 Dolphin squad, they did not allow that to interfere with another outstanding season. The Dolphins went undefeated in their run to another TCIS title and once again demonstrated their dominance of the Hampton Roads private school soccer scene.
Led by Senior Mason Dudley, Junior Kyle Usonis, Junior Gavin Dooren and Junior Mitchell Lugo, the Dolphins continued to play the “beautiful game” dominating possession in every match and finishing with skill and expertise throughout the season. In speaking to head coach Dave Brunn, he referenced the following highlights from this season: “The two highlights for me came in the last game. I think the final two goals. Nolan has a really pure strike and scores a nice goal. These kids went absolutely bananas celebrating him. Gave me chills. It’s why I love them. They’re great kids. I mean, here is a fellow on his own, across the world with a host family and has not been home for a long stretch, but now hopefully he knows he has another family with this team. Kyle Usonis dropped the mic on this Covid restricted season with a shot that hinted at what’s still to come next year when we’re given a chance at the state title ”
The CHC soccer team has much to be proud about and the future remains very bright at the Cape. Returning starters Usonis, Doren and Lugo will look to Matt McGraw, Graydon Campbell, Luke Scheuer, Noa Denno, Michael Kubicki, Thomas Radich and Cooper Angilly to step into leadership roles and help the Dolphins defend their state title in the Fall of 2021.
The sustained success is something special that doesn’t go unnoticed by Athletic Director Jeanne Short. “CHC is very proud of the talent, class, and professionalism of our Dolphin boys soccer program. This honestly starts at the top, with coach Dave Brun. It truly is a beautiful game to watch. The system he has developed and the way our talented athletes execute this system, is a brand of CHC athletics we can all be proud of. Coach Brun dedicates many pre and post season hours to his athletes, and they adore him. It is obvious when so many Alumni come back to see him. When you have this level of expertise and trust from coach to athlete, the wins speak for themselves. He is a lifelong mentor for his current and previous athletes, and the number of college opportunities he has created for many is a reflection of his selfless approach to coaching. We are fortunate to have him leading this program, and thankful for the many long training hours our student athletes commit to Dolphins soccer.”
Congratulations to the Cape Henry Collegiate Boys Soccer team. Here’s to your continued success!
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