The Hargrave Varsity Soccer Team bounced back with ease as they defeated Dan River High School 6-0 on Thursday.
Despite wet field conditions the Tigers came out on fire very early on, and immediately put Dan River behind 1:35 into the game. Cody Cameron (1G) began the scoring for the Tigers as he placed a beautifully headed shot into the back of the net off of a cross from Nathan LeNoir (1G, 1A) who worked a precise give-and-go down the right side with Josh Splinter (1A), who was also credited with the assist. Then, 40 seconds later Hargrave added their second off a long ball out of the back, by sweeper Chris Martelli (2A), that found its way behind the Dan River defense. Kayode Ogunnaike (4G) ran onto the loose ball and placed an uncontested shot into the goal for his first of four on the day.
Eight minutes later, LeNoir would add to the tally with a goal of his own. LeNoir took on the Dan River defense down the right side of the field, and with quick foot-work made space for himself to let loose the shot within the 18-yard box. The blistered shot was too much for the Dan River goalkeeper to handle, and found its way into the back of the net.
As Hargrave continued to control possession throughout the half, opportunities continued. Hargrave would add their fourth goal of the half ten minutes later off of a lone goal from Ogunnaike for his second of the day. The Tigers would finish with 20 shots in the half.
As the second half began the Tigers picked up where they left off, and continued to maintain possession throughout. The Tigers controlled the flow of play, continued to play solid defensively, and worked the ball beautifully around the field controlling play in the midfield and utilizing the outside wings to go on attack.
Although, despite many opportunities, the Tigers would not find the back of the net again till the final minutes of the game. With three minutes remaining Ogunnaike would add his third off a feed from Nick Wynne (1A). Wynne found himself with the ball in the midfield, pushed forward and played a through ball in behind the Dan River defense. Ogunnaike received the pass, and pushed it to the right of the goal making space for the open shot. With a well-placed shot Ogunnaike nailed it off the left post and into the back of the net. A minute later Ogunnaike would add his fourth of the game, and the Tigers sixth of the match. Off of a goal kick, Chris Martelli sailed a long ball in behind the Dan River defense. Once again, Ogunnaike out ran the oppnent’s defense, and touched the ball forward to send himself in on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. With a well-placed finish into the corner of the net Ogunnaike beat the keeper, and capped the 6-0 win for the Tigers.
The Tigers finished with 32 shots in the match while allowing only 4 to their opponent. Goalkeeper Nathan Bloom in his first start for the Tigers was credited with one save, and completed the scoreless game.
Hargrave Soccer (0-1 conference, 2-2 overall) will return to action on Tuesday, April 12 as they take on George Washington HS; a non-conference match-up. Kick-off time is at 6:00pm at GWHS.
