Fletcher Saaty Named Player of the Year; Nathan Greiner Earns Coach of the Year Recognition; Seven Mustangs Earn All-State Selection
Meridian High School's championship soccer season has been recognized at the highest level, with senior forward Fletcher Saaty earning Virginia High School League Class 3 Player of the Year honors and head coach Nathan Greiner being named Class 3 Coach of the Year.
The recognition caps off a remarkable season that saw the Mustangs capture their 13th state championship with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Western Albemarle in the Class 3 finals – a title-clinching goal scored by Saaty in the championship match.
Saaty, a versatile 6'0" senior who played multiple positions during his four-year varsity career, dominated the stat sheet in his final season with 27 goals and 22 assists. His 4.5 points per game average included four game-winning goals, bringing his career total to seven game-winners. Over 45 career games, Saaty accumulated 41 goals and 36 assists, cementing his legacy as one of the program's most prolific scorers.
Coach Greiner's recognition marks his second Class 3 Coach of the Year award, having previously earned the honor in 2023. Under his leadership for three seasons, the Mustangs compiled an impressive 44-14-3 record, including two state championships. The 2025 title tied Meridian with Blacksburg for the most boys' soccer championships in VHSL history at 13.
The Mustangs' dominance extended throughout the all-state selections, with an unprecedented seven players earning recognition on the first and second teams. Joining Saaty on the first team all-state squad are seniors Henry Brown (forward), Ben Beloe (midfield), Amin Shams (midfield), Suriyan Cushamn (defense), and Aidan Bakewell (defense). Freshman Zack Miller earned second-team all-state honors as a forward.
The remarkable season concluded with a 17-2-2 record and the program's second championship in three years under Greiner's leadership. The coach's impressive resume includes 10 seasons as an assistant coach, during which Meridian won 10 state championships, as well as recognition as National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021.
Greiner's tenure as head coach has established him as one of the premier soccer coaches in the state of Virginia. Prior to taking over the program, he served as an assistant for a decade, helping build the foundation for Meridian's continued success.
As the Mustangs celebrate their historic season, the program continues to set the standard for excellence in Virginia high school soccer, with a legacy that now spans 13 state championships and countless individual honors.
The Falls Church City Public Schools community congratulates Coach Greiner, Fletcher Saaty, and all the Meridian High School soccer players on their outstanding achievements and their representation of Mustang pride at the highest level.