The Tigers returned home on Friday to face rival Fishburne Military School Caissons in the final regular season match on Senior Night. The seniors paved the way for the 6-3 victory on Friday.
It did not take long for the Tigers to get on the board, literally the Tigers were able to score 40 seconds into the game with great connecting passes from midfielder Luke DeWitt (Chantilly, VA) to forward Raines Wall (Chatham, VA) to find forward Charles Massina (Togo) who hit a great shot to the back post over the goalkeeper for the early 1-0 lead. The Tigers were able to find the back of the net once again in the 13th minute as forward Davy Ngabo (Rwanda) hit a shot to the back post for the 2-0 lead.
“The kids were very hyped for the game which led to the fast start for us,” stated Head Coach Jeremy Eubank. “The senior class took control of the game for us and showed great teamwork and leadership from start to finish.”
The Tigers added another goal in the 19th minute as forward Caleb Gibbons (Toledo, OH) finished a tremendous punt from goalkeeper John Seepe to make it 3-0. Then in the 26th minute, Wall was able to find the back of the net off a great through ball from Gibbons to make it 4-0 and the Tigers would take a 4-1 lead at the break. “It was really bitter sweet. The time has gone by fast, and I’ll truly miss playing soccer alongside the brothers I have made during my time at Hargrave,” stated senior Raines Wall.
In the second half, the Tigers were able to add two more goals: in the 47th minute as DeWitt and Wall connected to find midfielder Kyle Rose (Richmond, VA) and in the 67th minute center back Jonathan Morphis was able to lob a ball over the Caissons’ backline to find left back Chad Demarest to make the score 6-3 for the final. In the net, senior goalkeeper Xiangyu Sun got the start, collected the win, and made 4 saves.
“It was a bittersweet moment. What I can tell you is that going from 4-12 my freshman year to 15-2-1 is an unbelievable feeling,” stated senior Luke DeWitt. “More importantly, it’s also one of the saddest games I’ve ever played to think that this is it really hits deep. I know that the program is in great hands with Coach, and that Tyler, Davy, and I have done our part in helping this program become a real contender the last three years under Coach Eubank. Once a Tiger always a Tiger!”
The Tigers will be hosting the 1st round of the VIC tournament Tuesday (October 25th) afternoon against Eastern Mennonite at 4:00 PM. This is the first time in many years Hargrave has hosted a first round match-up at home. We hope to see you all there to support these young men that have performed well this season!
