Written By: Victoria Williamson ~ Sports Editor
Chris Wiley chasing after a ball during a match. Photographed by Caroline Gerke.
After returning from an injury his freshman year and putting in endless work during preseason, sophomore forward/midfielder Chris Wiley is only on his way up after being named ODAC’s offensive player of the week for week four.
According to LHSN, his game-winning goal against Catholic University earned him the honors, and Wiley is excited to keep progressing in his game and his connection with the team.
“It’s a big honor and an exciting first, but my goals this season are to win ODACs and cause some chaos in the NCAA tournament with the team. I think a big part of my recent success on the field comes down to the people around me out there; I just do my best to be in the right spaces,” he said.
Noticing his work ethic and excitement for the game, the head coach of Lynchburg Men’s Soccer, Chris Yeager, anticipates much growth and success for his Wiley.
“He has a tremendous work rate. He does so much work for us on the defensive side and is getting better on taking his chances on goal. His passion can be contagious,” said Yeager.
Chris has not only caught the attention of his coach, but his teammates cling to his contagious passion for the game and determination to play smart and aggressively cohesively.
“Wiley is a huge asset in a close match. His passion and workrate is something that stands out everyone not only on the pitch, but to all the stands. When it is a tight match and you have your striker making tackles in the middle of the park and pressing the other team’s center backs causing them to make mistakes, that is infectious to the rest of our players and really can get us going,” said sophomore defensive player Ayden Cass.
With positive recognition from those who work closest with him and his relentless mindset during the game, it is no surprise that Chris Wiley was named ODAC Offensive Player of the Week in week four.
For more information on upcoming matches, visit Lynchburg Sports Calendar
