Hargrave 8 – Westover 2
The Hargrave Varsity Soccer Team moved their record to 2-0 in conference play, on Thursday, after defeating Westover Christian Academy 8-2.
The Tigers got off to a slow start in the first half, and couldn’t tally their first goal of the contest until with less than two minutes remaining. Sophomore midfielder Nathan LeNoir (3G, 1A) tallied his first of three goals on the day to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead just before the halftime whistle. The goal came unassisted for the Tigers.
To begin the second half of play the Tigers showed signs of improved play and added a pair goals at the start of the second half to take the 3-0 lead. Phillipe Armand (1G) scored the first of the two six minutes into the half off an assist from Chris Martelli (3A), while Patrick Galindo (1G, 1A) added the second five minutes later off of a corner kick from Josh Splinter (1A).
Although, with the lead extended to 3-0 Westover would give Hargrave more than they bargained for after Westover forward Daniel Poindexter scored two unanswered goals in three minutes to bring the score to 3-2.
Though, the two quick goals from Westover were perhaps just what the Tigers needed to renew a lacking and much needed intensity on the field. Hargrave would then go on to run off five unanswered goals to close out the game, and put a halt to any chance of a comeback from their opponent.
LeNoir would go on to finish out his hat-trick, while adding an assist, which included the Tigers fourth goal of the match two minutes after Westover pushed the score to 3-2. Galindo and Martelli were credited with the assists on the LeNoir goal. Sophomore midfielder’s Austin Newman (1G, 2A) and Scott Dinius (1A) would later get involved in the scoring, as Newman added Hargrave’s fifth three minutes later, assisted by LeNoir, and Dinius assisting on a goal from Junior Tumi Demuren (1G) with less than 12 minutes remaining to give the Tigers the 6-2 lead.
Newman would then contribute on Hargrave’s final two goals, as he assisted on LeNoir’s third with five minutes remaining in the game, and on a goal from Senior Xavier Chevalier (1G) with less than two minutes to play. Senior Chris Martelli was also credited with the assist on the Chevalier goal finishing the day with three assists from out of the back.
Goalkeepers Geofrey Frazier and Nathan Bloom both finished the game with solid performances in the net, and having to only make a combined five saves on the day.
The Tigers finished with 29 recorded shots in the match, while only allowing 6 to their opponent.
Hargrave Soccer will return to action on Tuesday, September 13 when they take to the road to take on their next conference opponent, Roanoke Catholic. Game time is slotted for 4:00.
