Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Blacksburg High School has been one of the most successful boys’ soccer programs over the past 10 years in the Commonwealth, and the goalie position has been a big part of the wins versus loses.
This season through 14 matches, Nathan Pratt has only allowed one goal and has 19 saves and is the team’s co-captain.
Pratt recently announced plans to continue his playing career at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
“I chose VCU because of its demanding athletic requirements,” he said.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia with a current enrollment of 28,919 students.
This past season, the VCU men’s program finished 6-6-5 overall and includes Blacksburg alum Kai Feng.
Pratt lived his freshman year in Manhattan, Kansas before his family moved to Blacksburg prior to the sophomore school year.
In Pratt’s sophomore season, he served as the backup goalkeeper to his brother, Simon. He had one start with nine saves and only allowed one goal.
He would start in 2025, only allowing 16 goals with 79 saves, being named First team All- District, Second team All-Region. The team was 19-3 overall, district champion, region runner-up, and state runner-up.
“Playing at a successful program like BHS has prepared me for the next level by showing me how to value and strengthen culture and why it separates the good teams from the great ones,” Pratt said.
He hopes to accomplish lifelong connections that he can use in life after college.
“I also want to have a successful soccer career,” he said.
Pratt has a 3.7 grade point average and plans to major in business administration.
