Varsity Soccer vs. Holy Cross

The Hargrave Men’s Varsity Soccer Team continued to build upon their success Thursday evening with a hard-fought victory over Holy Cross, 3-1.

The Tigers were true to form, once again, opening up the scoring in the early going. In the 7th minute of play Alnor Rodriguez (1G) put the ball in the back of the net giving the Tigers the early 1-0 lead. Captain Charles Amos (1G, 1A) assisted on the score when he sent a flighted ball in behind the defense from just in front of the midfield stripe. Rodriguez ran onto the ball, dribbled forward, and hit a well-placed shot into the side of the net giving the Holy Cross goalkeeper no opportunity for the save.

Throughout the remainder of the first half both sides fought hard, neither allowing the other to capitalize on any scoring chances. The Holy Cross attack pressed the Tiger’s defense in the late going of the half just coming up short of bringing the game to an even count. The Tiger’s defense held strong, though, holding the Holy Cross attack at bay giving the Tiger’s the 1-0 lead at the half.

The Tiger’s heart did not dwindle in the second half, as they came out to play once again, and right away put pressure on the Holy Cross defense.

Charles Amos scored the second goal of the match for the Tigers, in the 58th minute of play, off of a penalty kick that resulted because of a hand ball in the box by a Holy Cross defender. Amos stepped up, and with steady nerves put the ball in the back of net giving the Tigers the 2-0 lead.

Hargrave continued to move the ball forward, though, not sitting on the 2 goal lead. Freshman Nathan LeNoir (1G) scored off a beautiful volley from 18 yards out, with a blast into the upper left corner of the net. The goal came off a corner, in the 63rd minute, that caromed off the head of Captain Kayode Ogunnaike (1A) which was sent bouncing out, and right onto the incoming stride of LeNoir who hit the ball first-time out of the air. The goal gave the Tigers the 3-0 lead.

Holy Cross stood strong, though, and added a goal in the 67th minute of play. The goal put Holy Cross back into the game, making the score 3-1, and giving Holy Cross a build in momentum.

The Holy Cross attack continued to press hard, giving the Tigers several scares in the late going. Although, the Tiger defense, once again, held the late pressure at bay and strayed off every attack that came at them in the final 12 minutes of play. Led by Captain Chris Martelli, the effort given forth by fellow defenders Nick Wynne, John Yu, Dee Okunowo, and goalkeeper Garret Torney were all intricate in giving the Tigers the win.

Goalkeeper Garret Torney finished with 5 saves, and a solid effort in the net.

The Tigers finished with 12 shots in the match, while allowing only 8 shots for Holy Cross.

Hargrave Soccer (3-0 overall, 3-0 conference) will host their next match at home against Roanoke Valley Christian on Monday, Sept. 20, beginning at 4:30 PM.

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