Virginia Beach-area boys Week 1 standouts

[caption id="attachment_40828" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-40828 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/25AFA934-AA42-4601-B78D-93227D8B5404-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647626787-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="30985" first="Kishin" last="Togashi"][/caption]CM [player_tooltip player_id="30985" first="Kishin" last="Togashi"], Princess Anne, Class of 2025 I watched Togashi play this past fall with his club team (2006 Beach FC) and he did an outstanding job as a center defensive mid. I was pleasantly surprised to see him in more of an attacking role with his high school team where he starts on a Virginia Class 5 team as a freshman. He is very composed and comfortable with the ball at his feet in tight spaces and looks to go forward in the final third. He was definitely one of the best attacking players on the pitch and, even with his smaller size, was not overmatched around bigger defenders. Challenged defenders 1v1 the entire game and connected numerous passes while driving forward in the box to his forwards. [caption id="attachment_40826" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/043CEDD0-9359-4511-A968-D6A0664AD14D-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647626690.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-40826 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/043CEDD0-9359-4511-A968-D6A0664AD14D-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647626690-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Alex Kapa[/caption] CM Alex Kapa, Hickory, Class of 2023<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/043CEDD0-9359-4511-A968-D6A0664AD14D-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647626690.jpeg"> </a> Awarded the 757 HS Soccer "Man of the Match" for his play in Hickory’s first game of the year, a 2-1 victory over Princess Anne. Stepped up to stop the attack and cut off passing lanes throughout the match. Dropped into the back line when his defenders were under pressure. He was almost a third center back when needed. Was quick to transition into an attacking role when Hickory gained possession. A tough, physical kid who consistently won 50-50 balls on the ground and in the air. Plays club ball for 2005 Virginia Rush. [caption id="attachment_40817" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-40817 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/D438D16D-D168-4C20-ADC4-17E9F7CA8AB6-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647616569-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Michael Orlando[/caption] MID Michael Orlando, Hickory, Class of 2023 There is always something to be said for a player who takes his team's set pieces and Orlando proved his coach right by scoring on a free kick from 25 yards that beat the keeper near post for a late game-winner. Comfortable in both attacking and defending roles. Very calm with the ball at his feet. Virginia Rush 2005 player.     [caption id="attachment_40870" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/9E4E858B-5CBC-46B2-A80C-DC5BD10972F5-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647694450.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-40870 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/9E4E858B-5CBC-46B2-A80C-DC5BD10972F5-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647694450-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Jaylen Marble[/caption] CB Jaylen Marble, Smithfield, Class of 2023 A true stay-at-home center back. Has the vision to see the game in front of him and good speed to keep up with opposing forwards. Didn’t panic with the ball when under pressure and calmly looked to clear out balls when in danger. Held a talented group of First Colonial forwards scoreless until the 80th minute. Plays club soccer with Virginia Legacy 2005.   [caption id="attachment_40872" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/744E70C5-BCF0-4E57-A592-9BB65A6BB57C-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647694530.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-40872 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/744E70C5-BCF0-4E57-A592-9BB65A6BB57C-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647694530-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Onesime Muepu[/caption] FWD/MID Onesime Muepu, Smithfield, Class of 2023 Playing in his first high school game after moving here from Congo, Muepu impressed everyone in attendance. Plays a wide attacking forward/midfielder role and when in possession uses his technical foot skills to beat defenders. Also had some beautiful 45-yard-long diagonal switches that were pinpoint accurate. Had the fans in the bleachers watching his every move. Has some of the quickest feet and body movement I have seen in years. Great personality to match his game, I wanted to interview him after the game but with French as his native language, he pulled out his phone and we communicated using a translator app. His very humble off-the-field demeanor was different from his aggressive play on the pitch. [caption id="attachment_40874" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/350ACD3D-2E59-45DC-A7E9-9BAF9A917F1F-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647694640.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-40874 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/350ACD3D-2E59-45DC-A7E9-9BAF9A917F1F-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1647694640-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="30980" first="Jonathan" last="Kidd"][/caption]CDM [player_tooltip player_id="30980" first="Jonathan" last="Kidd"], First Colonial, Class of 2024 A superb center defensive midfielder. Was under constant pressure for a good portion of the second half versus Smithfield but was up to the challenge. Plays center back for his Beach FC 2006 club team and is just as capable on the back line. Very comfortable with players running at him and can recover quickly. Quick transition from defending to attacking.   [caption id="attachment_40823" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-40823 size-thumbnail" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/C76AC0FD-6A31-4F13-879D-03F87338BA21-scaled-e1647628134938-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Will Jennings[/caption] FWD Will Jennings, Princess Anne, Class of 2024 Plays a wide attacking forward role. Used the width of the field to his advantage and was always looking for open space against a packed-in defense. Good speed on the outside, looked to take on defenders first and distribute from outside second. Fits in well playing with older players. Virginia Rush 2006 player.