On Friday night, Morgan Vraspir may have played the final home game of his prep career. The Nature Coast senior celebrated with his teammates after a 1-0 victory over Weeki Wachee in the Coaches Cup final. “It feels good,” Vraspir said. “It’s been around for three years; this is our second time we’ve been in (the final). We played them last year, we lost to them. So it feels nice to come back this year and get them this time instead of what happened last year.
“On our home field; it’s the last time in the regular season we’re playing at home this year. It feels good to go out on a ‘W.’” There is, of course, a possibility the Sharks will again take their own field before the season ends. But that would have to come in regionals. In two weeks, Nature Coast will look to win its second straight district championship in the Class 3A, District 7 Tournament at Weeki Wachee.
The Sharks, 14-2-1 overall, finished second to Pasco in the district standings, putting them in prime position to advance to regionals for the third consecutive season. “Everybody’s improved throughout the season dramatically,” Vraspir said. “Everybody’s stepped up. Everybody’s working a lot harder this year. The coaches, we’re all putting in the work. Everyday we’re coming out and putting in the effort. This year as a team, we’ve really come together, and every time we step out on the field we give it our all.”
The conclusion of Vraspir’s prep career has particular significance because he could be considered the finest player to wear the Nature Coast uniform. The numbers make the argument: he holds team records for most single-season and career assists (35), as well as the most points in a career (105). The single-season points and career goals marks are within reach. So far this season, he has 10 goals and 17 assists.
“Morgan, he’s just got a load of technical ability,” Nature Coast head coach Ian Wald said. “He spends a lot of time training and is just really good with the ball at his feet. Has good technical ability with his shot. Good vision, good knowledge of the game. What was lacking before was his confidence, his intensity, and just willingness to go and defend. And that’s taken another step this year with him being a senior. So he’s got the complete and total package this year.
“This season is his best year by far. … He’s one of our star players. Put him in the middle of the park and he’s really done a great job.” Vraspir has produced from the beginning for the Sharks. As a freshman he had six goals and five assists, followed by nine goals and nine assists as a sophomore. He posted 10 goals and four assists a season ago.
“Morgan, these last four years has been outstanding,” Wald said. “He’s always been a staple of our team from Day 1. I believe last year he won the captaincy and then this year he’s really fulfilled that role. He’s been our captain, our leader. Everyone buys in to what he says, everyone listens to him. And he’s been a consistent provider of goals and assists, and possession on the field. He really buys into the possession and the clean game.
“He’s been a remarkable Nature Coast Shark. He’s going to be missed dearly. His legacy and impact is going to be left all over the record book, on the field and with his play.”
Vraspir is a veteran soccer player, having started so young he’s not even quite sure his exact age when his parents decided to get him out on the pitch.
“It’s just really fun,” Vraspir said. “I love to come out and play. It feels good. Every day training, working hard in the game you love. You just want to keep doing it.”
He will keep doing it on the college level. He said he has already made a decision, but declined to name the school until everything is finalized on National Signing Day.
“It’s big. To play the game you love at the next level. For some people this is it. Some people you move on to the next level,” Vraspir said. “It feels great just to know that I’ll be able to play at the next level. Eventually I want to try to go professional. That’s (college) the level below. Just to know that I went up a level, I’m just happy to still be playing.”
Beyond personal records, he has been part of his team’s rise to prominence. Prior to this three-year run, the Sharks had spent most of their existence mired in mediocrity, unable to break through in postseason play.
“It’s been great but we still have this year to go,” Vraspir said. “We still want to get a district title and go further. We’ve never won the game after winning a district title. To me that would be the biggest accomplishment, going further than what we did last year.
“Every year we’re getting drastically better. It’s like night and day. Every year we improve so much and it means a lot, to be honest. The coaches really help us a lot. And the players, we work really hard and that’s what does it. We install the mentality from year to year. Players come in, they understand that, and it goes from there.”