The Episcopal Maroon boys soccer team, under the leadership of head coach Rick Wilcox, are intent on making the 08 campaign a stellar one.

Episcopal (16-6-0 one season ago) retains a large number of returning players and could very well challenge for both the IAC Title and the Virginia Independent Schools Title this season.

In the current campaign, the Maroon have knocked off both Collegiate (Richmond) and Paul VI (Fairfax), by the respective scores of
5 -1 and 2-1.

Three different players have combined to score the aggregate seven goals: senior attacking center midfielder Shadow Sebele leads with an amazing five goals, and senior attacker Given Kalipinde and freshman attacker Ntokozo Tshuma have one apiece.

Sebele, who was named the Alexandria Sportsmans Club Soccer Player of the Year following both his sophomore and junior seasons, is already the Episcopal leader in career goals scored.

Last year alone, he tallied an amazing 31 goals and 23 assists.

Swift-footed Sebele, along with senior defender Will Addis and senior midfielder Greg DiNardo, are the Maroon captains.

Last years starting goalkeeper Zach Glubiak is now the backup varsity goalie at Columbia University.

This years starting keeper job falls on the shoulders of 62 sophomore Bennett Jones.

The young native of Winston Salem, N.C., commented, I was the JV goalie last season. Im trying to get as much experience as I can this year. So far its been a lot of fun and playing on the varsity level is definitely a lot more intense.

Other Maroon starters include: senior defenders James Williams and Yao Sithole; junior defender David Kagula-Kalema; junior defensive midfielder Cal Bobola and junior offensive midfielder Alex Smith.

Commented head coach Wilcox, We play in a very competitive league [Interstate Athletic Conference]. Weve got a very cohesive group this year with a lot of talent. We need to keep focused [this season].

On September 12 and 13, EHS will host the Maroon and Black Invitational Cup, in which Episcopal, Eastern Mennonite, Potomac School and St. Annes Belfield will all play each other in a round-robin, three games apiece tournament (weather permitting).

With the athleticism of Sebele, as well as Kalipinde and Sithole (both basketball players for head coach Jimmy Fitzpatrick), combined with the proficiency of the entire team, look for the Maroon and Black to log one of their finest seasons in school history this season.