The Hargrave Varsity Soccer Team bounced back after a hard loss to North Cross, in their season opener, with an impressive win over Altavista on Monday, 3-1.
The Tigers showed up with a much improved team effort, as they maintained the majority of possession throughout the match, and controlled the flow of play both offensively and defensively. The Tigers continously placed pressure on the Altavista defense as they finished with 22 shots in the game, while allowing only seven.
Cody Cameron (1G) opened the scoring for the Tigers 22 minutes into the first half off a well-worked combination play from Nathan Lenoir (1G, 1A) and Josh Splinter (2A) down the right side of the field. LeNoir pushed the ball forward, taking on the Altavista defense and slotted a perfect ball, splitting the defenders, towards the right corner. Splinter ran onto the ball, and hit a well-placed cross across the face of the goal onto the foot of Cameron who made a great crashing run from the left to finish the goal.
The Tigers would end the half leading, 1-0.
In the second half, the Tigers continued where they left off, and 20 minutes later would find the net again. LeNoir once again took on the defense, but was fouled inside the box before getting a shot off. LeNoir would put away the ensuing penalty kick, and give the Tigers the 2-0 lead.
Altavista would make it interesting, though, when with ten minutes remaining in the game they brought the score back to within a goal, 2-1 off a well-struck ball into the corner of the net.
Although, the Tigers would not allow the comeback to happen, as two minutes later they added their third goal of the game off a corner kick. Splinter once again served a perfect ball into the box, and onto the head of Kayode Ogunnaike (1G) who hit a well-struck header into the back of the net with seven minutes remaining in the game.
The Tiger defense was able to hold off any last ditch efforts by Altavista, and came away with the 3-1 win.
Hargrave Soccer will return to action Tuesday, April 5 when they play host to Tunstall High School. Kick-off time is 5:00pm.
