Fall Sports Season Preview
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The fall sports season is right around the corner! Richard Bland is home to five fall athletic programs. Men's Soccer, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Women's Soccer, and Women's Volleyball will all compete for Richard Bland this fall.
Men's Soccer –
Heading into the fall 2023 season, the reigning Region 10 Division I champions boast a core of returners who will defend their title.
Last season, Coach Westfield led the Statesmen to a 13-5 overall record, 9-3 in conference play. The Statesmen defeated USC Lancaster 2-1 in the Region Championship to earn the title, and seven players were recognized on the Region 10 All-Region team.
The Statesmen will play two exhibitions on the road prior to their season/home opener against USC Salkehatchie on August 25th. The Statesmen will face each conference opponent twice, one home and one away, and will also take on the following nonconference opponents; Wake Technical Community College Eagles, Louisburg College Hurricanes, and the Harford Community College Fighting Owls.
Men's/Women's XC –
The men's and women's cross country team has a core incoming class who is ready to hit the ground running. A standout name on this list is runner Jerry Hamilton. Hamilton is expected to have a great first season as a Statesman and play a large part in redeveloping the cross country program.
Most of these athletes will also compete on the indoor/outdoor track and field teams this winter and spring. Head Coach Rashad Cannon, and staff, are ready to seize all opportunities at full speed!
Women's Soccer –
Entering the fall 2023 season, the Statesmen women's soccer team will join the Division II side of the Region 10 conference. The Statesmen are very familiar with their new conference opponents. In the 2022 season, the Statesmen competed against four of the five division II members, and picked up multiple wins.
Last season, Coach Castricone led the Statesmen to a 5-10 overall record, 2-4 in conference play, finishing the conference season in third place while making an appearance in the Region 10 Semi Final match. Six players were placed throughout the first and second Region 10 All-Region teams.
This fall, the Statesmen will be tested by tough non conference competitors in CCBC Essex, USC Sumter, Montgomery College, and Harford Community College, three of which are from Maryland. The Women's Soccer team will open the season/conference play on August 23rd at Louisburg College, which takes place in between two road exhibitions.
Women's Volleyball –
Heading into the fall 2023 season, the defending NJCAA Division II National Champions and Region 10 Champions boast a core of returners who will defend their title, along with the addition of a strong, talented incoming class.
Last season, the Champine-Dryden coaching duo led the Statesmen to a 34-3 overall record, 12-0 in conference play. The Statesmen defeated the Sea Devils of Cape Fear Community College in the Region 10 Championship to earn an automatic bid to the National Tournament. Richard Bland entered the tournament as the #5 seed and defeated #12 McHenry County to advance to the quarterfinal round. The Statesmen would go on to defeat Iowa Central later that evening to advance to the semifinals against Johnson County Community College. Richard Bland upset, and reverse swept #1 Johnson County to move on to the Championship match against #6 Scottsdale Community College. The Artichokes put up a tough battle, but the Statesmen ended up victorious, 3-2, to be crowned National Champions for the first time in program history.
Women's volleyball will travel to Virginia State University for an exhibition matchup with the Trojans prior to opening the season at the Cape Fear Tournament August 25th-26th. Richard Bland will travel to the Owens Community College Tournament September 1st-2nd as well as the Pasco Hernando Tournament September 8th-10th. Their home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th against non conference opponent Harford Community College, with conference play beginning on the road against Cleveland Community College on Saturday, September 23rd.
Stay up to date with all fall schedule changes and final scores by following our social media pages: @richardblandathletics and @GoRBCStatesmen and our website: www.rbcathletics.com