In the game with: Great Bridge's Will Cason

CHESAPEAKE

It should be easy to pick out Great Bridge's Will Cason on the field during this week's Eastern Region tournament, which starts today at Old Dominion Soccer Stadium.

The senior forward's hulking frame is usually surrounded by a number of defenders.

"Teams will triple-team him," Wildcats coach Paul Duval said. "If I can have three people defending him - that just opens up play for the rest of the guys. He's a man compared to the some of these boys."

Few opponents have been able to corral Cason, who has notched 17 goals and five assists in leading the Wildcats to their first region tournament appearance since 2007. Only one team member remains from that squad - defender Sam Hecker, now a senior; Cason focused on playing club soccer during his freshman year.

It's been quite a turnaround for Cason, who has signed with Villanova. During his sophomore and junior years, Duval said Cason was more concerned with getting the ball and scoring rather than team play.

Last year, he finished with just two goals and two assists.

"I had big expectations for him," Duval said. "He's a kid going to a (Division I) school - he's got to show things now.

In addition to being a scoring threat, Cason has shown versatility, allowing Duval to play him anywhere. In tight Southeastern District contests against Hickory and Grassfield, Cason was slotted at the back to organize the defense.

"He's turned into a kid who was uncoachable to a kid who's like an assistant coach," Duval said. "He'll come up to me with ideas during the middle of the game."

Duval also said Cason, in previous years, would look to pass instead of taking on a defender. B ut his ability to get past an opponent in one-on-one situations now helps open play for the Wildcats, allowing teammates to create scoring chances.

Cason has evolved so much during his career that his unselfishness leaves Duval with a paradox.

"He's not worried about how many minutes he'll play or how many goals he's going to get," Duval said. "Now he realizes his skill is a benefit to this team.

"He's got so much skill sometimes I wish he was more selfish."