HMA Soccer traveled to Fluvanna County and the campus of FUMA for the first time since 2023 on Wednesday October 15th
As the bus pulled in we were directed not to the soccer field but to the football field where we would be playing the match, due to work on the track surrounding the soccer field. The field which is also their parade field, as far as this weathered coach knows, has never been used for soccer seasons prior to this year. The field was not as nice as our home field, but better than their soccer field .
Their seniors celebrated before the match, followed by a prayer. From the opening whistle, FUMA ‘s game was a run game . HMA’s game was to park the bus with our field General up top. For much of the first half we kept their #8 under wraps , with Cadet Hunter Dovel and the back line working the offside trap .
Cadet Gavin Outlaw was like a big cat with springs, this game he showed some of his finest work getting in the air and on the ground .
Cadet Evan Holmes, always a tough customer, playing through the pain, tackling and filling space where he is needed . Cadet Shawn Masese had great minutes delaying their runs and is always great with communication.
Cadet Patrick Fowlkes battled two backs at a time while Cadet Lawrence McCartney went from his fullback position to a sweeper position .
This combo eventually hooked up for the HMA Score, with McCartney getting the assist . Fowlkes had numerous shots and breakaways against the FUMA keeper, who is also a national team player from Trinidad.
Cadet Jackson Callahan had tough minutes again this game on the back line as well as at midfield. Our young men played until the whistle let them know that they had survived another battle, no matter the scoreboard they are warriors . They lined up and shook hands with their opponents .
Now here is where it gets good . We were invited to join the FCA at midfield with the FUMA players. What happened next , you don’t see often . HMA and FUMA arm in arm , in fellowship. That right there is a win for everyone . GOD IS GOOD. This was not something the young men of our team HAD to do, they were there because they wanted to be there.
The scoreboard has not been kind to us this year , but we have achieved so many other goals , many of which we cannot see yet .
Final Score
FUMA 9 HMA 1
