CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Virginia High School League announces its 2023 Class 1 all-state boys soccer team. Galax senior midfielder David Espinoza is the Class 1 Player of the Year, and Northampton head coach Chase Baxa is the Class 1 Coach of the Year.
During his senior year, Espinoza, an attacking midfielder, led the Maroons to a 20-1-1 record and the state semifinals, scoring 22 goals and contributing 18 assists. His junior year was equally impressive, as he helped his team win the Class 1 state title with 18 goals and 15 assists, defeating Northampton 2-0 in the finals.
Baxa took on a soccer team with only 14 players in 2021, but in just three years, he has led the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back state final appearances in 2022 and 2023, winning the Class 1 state title this year with a 4-1 victory over Westmoreland. The Yellow Jackets have an impressive record of 32-11-0, including a 16-4-0 record in 2023, under his guidance in these two seasons.
The all-state soccer team consists of four forwards, four midfielders, four defenders, one goalkeeper, and three at-large positions. Only those players selected first-team all-region are eligible for selection to the all-state team. The all-state selection committee comprises eight coaches, with two from each region.
Printable copy: 2023 Class 1 Boys Soccer All-State team
