LEWISBURG (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East soccer team had an absolutely historic season: they won the 2022 West Virginia State Championship, their first in school history, and now for the first time, four Spartans have been named to the All-State First Team.
Forward Luke Dolin, midfielder Chase Mizia, midfielder Adam Seams and goalkeeper Joe Cochran all etched their names in the history books.
Each player was a huge contributor in both games of the state tourney. Mizia scored the first goal to get the Spartans on the board against Wheeling Park; Seams had two goals and a no-look assist; Dolin scored a goal; and Cochran allowed just one goal in the two games.
Head Coach Lucas Lemine knows he is very fortunate to have these four guys on his roster.
“Joe Cochran is a junior and the only returning player for me on the All-State list. I don’t have much in terms of history on school records, but he had 15 clean sheets (no goals against in a game) which was one away from tying a state record. He was absolutely dominant this year inside the box. He also has the ability to play with his feet, just like having another field player. He is still in the running for Goalkeeper of the Year,” said Lemine.
Lemine also spoke highly of Dolin who toughed out the season with an injury.
“Luke was excellent all year long. He ended the year with 14 goals and nine assists. The majority of his assists this year were pivotal in our wins, and he had the brace in our state championship game. He played a large portion of the year with a hamstring injury,” Lemine said.
“Chase Mizia ended the year with 15 goals and two assists. He was electric this season — the fastest guy on the field, and his ability on the ball was incredible. Chase had a unique situation in exchanging with Adam (Seams) to allow Adam to use his dynamism in the attack. Chase being humble enough to do that, I thought, was the best part. When he went on defense, we lost nothing. He locked it down just as well as Adam did,” Lemine explained.
When your team has the best player in the state, the game becomes a little easier to coach, and Lemine was blessed with that this season.
“Adam Seams,” Lemine said with a smile, “I mean what can you say; he’s not only a generational talent, but I don’t think we see another player like him in this state again. And I’ll be the first to admit and advocate for the players we’ve had in this state. We’ve had some studs. Adam’s different. Technical ability. Tactical knowledge is unreal. He ended with 14 goals and seven assists. When it came to the biggest games of the year with players who have been nominated for players of the year, he balled out. He’s going to be in the running for Defender of the Year,” Lemine said.
“All these guys not only were excellent players, but I can’t speak enough about their character and their focus on academics,” Lemine concluded.
