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Roberson High School continued its winning ways with a thrilling 3-2 victory over South Point High School on Wednesday night at TC Roberson High School. The weather conditions, near-freezing temperatures and high winds, did not reduce the level of play by either team. Roberson was able to score its third goal with less than six minutes remaining to secure the victory and advance to the state semi-finals game against Hickory High School. The semi-finals match at Hickory will be played on Saturday, November 9, at 7:00 PM
Top photo shows TC Roberson versus South Point High School in state quarter finals match on Wednesday, November 6, at Roberson High School.Maybe with a different mix of personalities, all of this media attention and state, regional, and national ranking business might go to a kid's head. But every game is the most important game of the season to this level headed group of talented soccer players at TC Roberson High School. The team's record, ability to score, and a long list of worthy opponents that have fallen to them this season have led to a coveted #1 national ranking with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, a #1 ranking in Region 4 from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, a #1 ranking in the state from the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association, a #1 ranking in the Southeast region from Student Sports Fab Fifty, and a #17 national ranking with Student Sports Fab Fifty.
TC Roberson, located on the south side of Asheville, has a long tradition of successful soccer teams for both boys and girls. But this fall's boys' soccer season has met with greater success than any team in the school's history, with a season record - so far - of 25-0-0.
Defensively, the team is equally talented, led by senior goalkeeper and Penn State-bound Matt Novchich, who has posted 105 saves and 12 shutouts this season. Solid, aggressive play from the team's defenders, senior Andy Beamer, senior Bridger Steele, junior Matt Morrison, junior Joey Polonsky, junior Nicholas Baud, and sophomore Andrew Pickens - all of whom have turned into scoring threats as opportunities have arisen - has kept opponents fighting for possession of the ball at all points on the field. Bottom photo shows Roberson versus South Point High School. The team is loaded this year with students who have known each other and played soccer together in recreational leagues since they were in kindergarten. Many of the players continue to play soccer together not only on the school team, but with the highly competitive Highland Football Club as well. Currently in the midst of state play-offs, the team's season continues on Saturday night at 7 PM in Hickory with a fourth round play-off game against the Hickory High School Red Tornadoes. Hickory is the defending 3-A state champion.
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The players' uncanny ability to remain grounded and seemingly unaffected by their own success may lie in the strong leadership of the team's head coach, Rob Wilcher. Wilcher, who has many years of successful coaching experience under his belt, was himself a star soccer player in high school and college, and is quick to point out to his team - and fans - just how fleeting all of the rankings and media coverage can be. A loss at this point in the season would end the team's hope of a state high school championship. Wilcher recognizes that, while the rankings are fun and a nice reward for the team's hard work and successes, playing well and succeeding on the field are what keep the season rolling. The Roberson starting lineup is pictured in second photo. 
Balance seems to be one of the keys to this year's success. The team is led by a well-balanced offensive force, including junior JT LaBruyere (27 goals, 19 assists), senior Brian Fitzmaurice (28 goals, 16 assists), and junior Todd Byard (26 goals, 13 assists). The return of senior Adam Schwartz (9 goals, 10 assists), following an injury that sidelined him for the first 10 games, has only added to the team's scoring and ball handling abilities. Speedy sophomore midfielder Caleb Alexander (6 goals, 12 assists) provides additional unselfish team play, a hallmark of this team. The team has scored a remarkable 158 goals this season to a combined total of 13 goals by all opponents. 