The Hargrave Tigers (5-8-1, 3-2) dropped their second straight conference match-up against Virginia Episcopal (4-2-3, 3-2) on Saturday by a score of 5-2.
For the second game in a row the Tigers found themselves behind early on giving up two goals within the first three minutes of the match. VES’ Stuart Carrington notched the homeside’s first just 58 seconds into the match from a corner kick opportunity, as Thomas Stoughton followed suit just over a minute later with a break-away tally for the 2-0 advantage.
The Tiger’s sluggish first half play didn’t end there as VES’ Max Klaile tallied the third from yet another chance from a corner kick on the back post. Four minutes later VES’ Gus McLean gave the homeside their fourth on another break-away opportunity to beat the Hargrave defense and junior goalkeeper Brad Faught for the 4-0 advantage.
The Tigers, though, were able to grab one back just before the half on their only two shots, of six, on frame in the first 40 mintues of play. Hargrave senior midfielder Scott Dinius set-up the opportunity for the Tigers as he pushed the ball down the left flank, and cut in on his defender for the shot. VES goalkeeper John Ladd made the initial save, but was unable to control the Dinius attempt. Junior forward Dong Myung Eun was there to follow-up the attempt and put away the Tiger’s first of the match with just over three minutes remaining.
VES finished the half on 7 of 9 shooting on goal. The Tiger’s Faught recorded three saves while VES’ Ladd was only forced into one.
The second half came as a clean slate for the Tigers as their play improved superbly. Although, once again, Hargrave was haunted by unfinished opportunities as they finished the second with nine shots, but only put four of those chances on frame.
Perhaps the game’s best two goals came in the second half from each side. Dinius was able to get another back for the Tigers to make it a 4-2 contest with just over 21 minutes remaining, and give the Tigers a chance of hope. Dinius received a pass from junior Mike Dalpini down the center of the field just inside the VES defensive third. Dinius was covered quickly, but with a quick fake to his left was able to beat the defender to his right, and on his next touch blasted a shot from nearly 25 yards out over the upward diving attempt of the goalkeeper and just under the crossbar.
Though, the Tiger’s chances were put away with an equally well finished goal from VES with 14:08 remaining on the clock. VES’ Hunter Van Dusan was able to collect a ball in transition down the left wing and drove forward deep into the Tiger’s defensive third near the end line. Van Dusan than sent a driven ball across the goalmouth to Klaile, for his second, who headed it first time on the run from just outside the six yard box down at the ground, bouncing a difficult save attempt over the diving attempt of the Tiger’s Faught.
Faught added four more saves for the Tigers in second half to help keep the away side in the match. VES’ Ladd recorded three saves in the second.
