By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Two-time reigning state champion Western Alamance begins its boys’ soccer season next week.
The team will head into a game for the first time since the death of Eamon Hipps, who was the goalkeeper for the two championship teams.
Hipps died as a result of an automobile accident in late December slightly more than a month after the Warriors won the title during his senior season.
Western coach Camden Brooks said the Warriors have warm-up gear that they’ll wear that pays tribute to Hipps. That will provide one of the many reminders of Hipps throughout the season, the coach said.
Brooks said Western will hold a special memorial recognition to Hipps during a home game this season.
The Warriors open the season Monday night at Greensboro Grimsley in the first of five consecutive road games. Western is scheduled for its home opener August 27 vs. Southern Durham.
Western posted a 29-0 record last year, with Hipps named the Most Valuable Player of the state championship game against East Lincoln. The Warriors have won 53 consecutive games.
Other soccer notes
Most area teams have games scheduled for next week to begin their seasons.
It’s unclear about the status of Southern Alamance’s team given that as of last week on the eve of the start of practice there was no coach hired. Requests for more information on the status of the team and the coaching position have gone unanswered.
According to an online schedule, Southern’s first game would come Tuesday night at Northwood.
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