The Tigers hit the field on Thursday in their lone match of the week to take on arch rival Fork Union Military Academy. In what is always a fierce battle, the Tigers were able to take an early lead in the first half and stretch the field of play in the second half to win 5-2.
The Tigers were able to benefit from an error for the Fork Union goalkeeper as Luke DeWitt’s (Chantilly, VA) throw-in went through the goalkeeper’s hand in the 12th minute for the early 1-0 lead. It did not take the Tigers long to add their second goal as they scored in the next minute as Caleb Gibbons (Toledo, OH) provided a great through ball to Youssef Abouzied (Cairo, Egypt) to make it 2-0. Before the half, young Tiger Nathaniel Kania (Danville, VA) scored his first varsity goal off of a great pass from Raines Wall (Chatham, VA) to make it 3-0 at the break.
“We put together what was the most complete first half of a game in my opinion,” stated head coach Jeremy Eubank. “Having three days of preparation to get our guys ready for what to expect physically, from Fork Union, and from the intensity of the game was much needed.”
In the second half, it was much of the same story for the Tigers. They were able to add two second-half goals in the 55th minute (Gibbons with the goal assisted by Abouzied) and in the 78th minute Wall finished off a great punt from goalkeeper John Seepe (Danville, VA) to close out the game 5-2. “When you put two military schools together you know you will always be in a battle,” stated Eubank. “I knew going into the second half we needed to play with composure and stretch the game through our depth. If we could do that I felt like we would be able close out the game by wearing them down.”
The Tigers return to VIC action on Tuesday as they host North Cross at 4:30. With the win it brings the Tigers record to 7-1-1 overall and 2-0-1 in conference play.
