The Hargrave Varsity Soccer Team improved their overall record to 4-2-1 (3-2-1, conference) after defeating Christian Heritage on Friday by a score of 2-1.
In a game where ball possession was predominantly controlled by the Tigers, difficulties in putting the ball in the back of the net haunted the home side throughout the game. The Tigers out-shot Christian Heritage 25-5, but due to the solid effort put forth by the opponet’s goalkeeper (16 saves), could only place two goals on the board.
The Tigers came out in the first half controlling the pace of play, and maintaining the majority of ball possession. Ten minutes into the first half Nathan LeNoir (1G) added the first goal of the match for the Tigers. Off of a cross, sent into the box, the ball came loose and found its way to the feet of LeNoir just outside the 18 yard box. LeNoir collected the ball, took a touch forward, and blasted a shot into the back of the net giving the Tigers the 1-0 lead.
The home-side kept on the pressure throughout the remainder of the first half, but several opportunities eluded the Tigers. Then, with 14 minutes remaining in the half, Christian Heritage tied the score at 1-1, showing the Tigers that they would not go away. Off of a free-kick from about 20 yards out the ball was lobbed in over the defense’s wall, and right onto the head of an incoming Christian Heritage attacker who placed the ball in the back of the net.
The Tigers, though, would not settle for the half to be ended in a draw, and continued to maintain possession of the ball and put pressure on the Christian Heritage defense. With two minutes remaining in the first half the Tigers took the lead off of a Alnor Rodriguez (1G) goal. A flighted ball was sent into the box from the right corner, and bounced around between players before coming loose. Rodriguez was there to put away the loose ball, and give the Tigers the 2-1 lead at the half.
In the second half the Tigers continued to control the flow of play on both sides of the ball, both offensively and defensively. Christian Heritage gave the Tigers a few scares in the late-going, but the Tiger defense stood strong, holding their opponent scoreless in the second half of play, and holding on to the 2-1 win. Goalkeeper Garret Torney would only have to make one save in the game.
Hargrave Soccer will travel to Roanoke to face-off against RVCS, on Tuesday, October 5, for their next conference match-up. Kick-off time is 4pm.
