Hargrave 2 – Carlisle 0
The Hargrave Varsity Soccer Team remained in perfect form at 4-0 in conference play with a 2-0 victory in the midst of an intense and evenly matched contest against Carlisle, on Thursday.
From the very beggining both teams showed their intent to attack the goal, and, potentially, add the first tally early into the contest. Carlisle, though, would have the early opportunities, testing the Tigers goalkeeper Geofrey Frazier with several attempts at the net. Although, with superb play in the net, and a little help from the crossbar on one occasion, Frazier proved to be up to the task turning away any attempt at the net from the Carlisle attack. Soon thereafter the Tiger defense would take over, and seemingly turn away any opportunities the Carlisle attack would try to create.
After the early excitement at the Hargrave defensive third the Tigers began to take over; consistently putting pressure on the ball and winning the lose balls. With superb possession play, and great movement of the ball up the field the Tigers would soon begin to create chances of their own in front of the Carlisle goal.
Then, with 18 minutes remaining in the first half the Tigers would strike first with a goal from forward Patrick Galindo (1G, 1A). Midfielder Scott Dinius (1A) began the play with a well-won ball on the right side of the field. Dinius continued to drive the ball up the right side towards the endline, and then sent a beautifully served ball back across the 18 yard box. Galindo was there to receive, but allowed the ball to come across to his left foot, and struck the ball first time nailing a bullet into the lower left corner of the goal. With the goal the Tigers would take the 1-0 lead into the half-time whistle.
To begin the second half the Tigers came out the same way they finished the first. The Tiger defense of Nick Wynne, Adam Crook, and Senior Captains Chris Martelli and Alnor Rodriguez gave the Carlisle attack fits, as their opponent could not find any easy lane to the goal. The defensive effort from the Tigers only allowed one second half shot on goal for Carlisle which goalkeeper Geofrey Frazier turned away with ease.
The Tiger midfield of Scott Dinius, Austin Newman, Nathan LeNoir, and led by Captains Josh Splinter and Cody Cameron continuously added pressure to the ball making it hard for their opponent to maintain any consistent movement of the ball around the field. Though, with superb movement of the ball the Tiger midfield would also possess the ball with convincing fashion and help create several opportunities at their opponent’s goal.
Meanwhile, the Tiger attack of Phillip Armand, Patrick Galindo, Tumi Demuren, and James Yu gave the Carlisle defense fits as they pushed the ball forward, continuously running at their opponent, and forcing several outstanding saves from the goalkeeper.
Then, once again with 18 minutes remaining in the game, Tumi Demuren (1G) gave the Tigers a 2-0 lift on the scoreboard adding his third goal in four games with a blistering shot into the lower right side of the goal. Galindo began the play by sending a low ball into the box from the right side which found its way to Josh Splinter (1A). Splinter continued the ball across to Demuren who sent the shot in with a first-time hit, and tallying Hargrave’s second goal of the afternoon. Both Galindo and Splinter were credited with the assist.
The Tigers closed out the remaining moments and secured its third shutout in four games with the 2-0 victory.
The Tigers finished with 14 recorded shots in the match while holding their opponent to only 5.
Tiger Soccer will return to action next Thursday, September 22, when they travel to Roanoke Valley Christian for their next conference match-up.
