By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics

This spring's six-game season was better than nothing. But for William & Mary soccer players Alfredo Bozalongo and Alexander Levengood, this summer has been more like normal.

As starting midfielders with Lionsbridge FC, a USL League Two team based in Newport News, Bozalongo and Levengood are making up for lost time on the pitch. Their team is just past the midpoint of the regular season and is in third place in its division with a 5-2-1 record (16 points).

"Honestly, this feels like the first time we've played real soccer since the fall of 2019," Bozalongo said, referring to his freshman season. "You don't have to be mindful about wearing masks or hand sanitizing or social distancing. It feels normal again."

In addition to Bozalongo and Levengood, Lionsbridge's roster includes Tribe players Connor Andrews (goalkeeper), Augie Cooper (defender) and John Eberle (midfielder). W&M coach Chris Norris said about two-thirds of his roster is playing in one league or another this summer.

Because of the pandemic, few had that opportunity in 2020.

"It's been good to play with a bunch of different guys from different places and learn from the way they play," said Levengood, who was W&M's top scorer in the spring with three goals and an assist. "We kind of bounce ideas off each other.

"Obviously, we didn't get a lot of game time in the spring. I was happy we got any at all. But being able to play these games and have consistent training has been really helpful to make sure we're sharp and fit come August when we report for preseason."

Since coming to William & Mary in the fall of 2019, Bozalongo and Levengood have become close friends. After the pandemic hit last year, Bozalongo was unable to return home to Spain until June. Until then, he lived with Levengood and his family in Richmond, and they trained together.

Levengood is Lionbridge's third-leading scorer with three goals, two of which came against West Virginia United. On June 4, he and Bozalongo each scored in a 2-0 win over Tri-Cities.

"Those guys are two of our key players," Norris said. "And I would expect them to go into just about any under-23 team and have a positive impact.

"It's good for them to be playing well, feeling confident, and on a team that's having some success right now. It certainly doesn't surprise me, though."

Lionsbridge's roster includes players from 11 different countries, which has made the training sessions as beneficial as the games.

"It's been good to play with a bunch of different guys from different places and learn from the way they play," Levengood said. "We kind of bounce ideas off each other."

Bozalongo also sees the benefits.

"It's good for your confidence to play a lot of minutes," he said. "And doing it with teammates who are playing a pretty high level, that's always encouraging."

"We've been playing against some kids who go to great schools, and they're not that different from us. It gives us the feeling we can beat pretty much anyone next year."

Norris believes as long as load management is observed, the experience should only help.

"They do a really good job of bringing in top players from outside the area and putting together a good group," Norris said. "(Coaches) Chris Whalley and Tennant McVea and their staff do a really good job with that."
"I've had a chance to see a couple of games this year and it's pretty competitive. I think it's a good experience. We've had guys playing for them for a couple of years now and they've all had good experiences and felt it was very beneficial."