Cumberland County High School’s varsity coed soccer team did not achieve victory in 2018, but it experienced important development, and it featured individual excellence that drew an All-James River District First Team selection for senior goalkeeper Kavon Foster.

The Dukes’ schedule was affected by the weather for most of the season. This involved them not being able to play their last game, a contest against Buckingham County High School which would have been on Senior Night. Cumberland finished the year with an 0-15 record.

Dukes Head Coach Spencer Postans was not distracted by the record, though.

“The team’s performance was good,” he said. “What they don’t realize and what was tough to preach and to teach all year was that they’re building. It’s not always about what the record is or what the score is. It’s about what you’re able to accomplish and build on.”

He noted the season was a learning experience for his players.

“They came a long ways,” he said.

Postans cited narrowing margins of defeat from the first to the second meetings against some district opponents.

He pointed to a home game against Central Lunenburg High School as his team’s best game. The Dukes fell 3-2 but led 2-0 at halftime.

“That was the one that hurt them the most and that they really felt like, ‘OK, we can play with these guys,’” Postans said. “And there was a different attitude for the rest of the season.”

The coach said it was huge to see Foster make the all-district first team.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him as a player and proud of what that says for our program,” he said. “Kavon worked hard all year-round, and he never quit, he never gave up. His job as a goalie is a very hard position to play.”

Because the Dukes struggled, Foster saw a lot of action.

“He got our leadership award at the end of the season,” Postans said. “He had been nothing but a leader, nothing but a positive attitude, and he ended the season with 362 saves in playing in 14 games. What he did was incredible.”