Captain Josh Splinter struck first for Hargrave on his way to a two goal, two assist performance as he led his Tigers to a ten goal victory against Roanoke Catholic on Tuesday. Splinter opened the scoring 13 minutes into the game with a well-crossed ball across the face of the goal from midfielder Tony Cain to find Splinter on the back post. Midfielder Mike Badolato, adding his first of three on the day, would find the net for the Tiger’s second goal of the match 14 minutes later off of perfectly threaded through-ball from Captain Scott Dinius. Three minutes later Badolato would add his second from a Heath Light cross to end the first half scoring for the Tigers at 3-0.
The Tigers came out firing on all cylinders at the start of the second half as they extended their lead to 6-0 within the first six minutes of the opening whistle. Less than three minutes in Badolato would add his third goal of the match to complete the hat-trick with an unassisted strike into the side netting. Less than two minutes later forward Dong Myung Eun got away from tight pressure in the box to get the shot off for the Tigers fifth. Splinter and midfielder Austin Newman were credited with the assists on the Eun goal. A minute later Eun and Splinter would once again get involved for the Tiger’s sixth as they assisted on a goal from forward James Lee.
As the Tigers sat comfortably on their 6-0 lead they continued to push the ball forward with good defensive pressure, and quick precision passing up the field. In the 55th minute of play Splinter and Newman would once again contribute as Splinter added his second goal of the match and Newman his second assist of the match extending the Tiger’s lead to 7-0. Eight minutes later Newman would complete the day with a goal and two assists performance with an unassisted strike on a loose ball just inside the Catholic box to give the Tigers the 8-0 cushion. Forward Seth Spears would add the Tiger’s ninth as he followed up a loose ball from a Garret Jennings cross and off the head of forward JD Skinner. Forward Tumi Demuren with his fourth goal of the season would complete the scoring for the Tigers off of Cain’s second assist of the game.
A superb and aggressive defensive performance led by Captain Nate Anglin, and anchored by defenders Adam Crook, Cameron Giannini, Tyler Brian, and midfielder Scott Dinius held the Catholic attack to very little threat. Goalkeeper Nathan Bloom was forced to make only one save.
The Tigers will return to action on Thursday, September 14th as they travel to take on Carlisle. The Tigers travel into a tough environment to play against one of the top teams in the VIC South. Game time is slotted for 5:30.
