Photo by Bryant Altizer
The James River girls soccer team is 9-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the Three Rivers District after picking up two big district wins last week. The girls beat Patrick County in Springwood last Wednesday, 6-1, then shut out Carroll County in Hillsville Friday, 2-0.
“Two fun matches,” said River coach Bill Smith. “Both were a close call on fields and weather, but we played.”
The Knights celebrated their “Senior Night” just before the Patrick game. Kylee Aaron, Shea Hubbard and Jazmyn Rinehart were each escorted to mid-field by family. Hubbard, sidelined with a knee injury much of the season, started the match and was immediately substituted after a show of sportsmanship by the visitors.
The Knights got right to work and dominated the game from the start. Rhaya Kitt was the star of the first half with three goals and an assist. Hayley Radar provided the fourth goal of the period and Gretchen Huffman assisted one of Kitt’s goals.
The second half was more of the same with the Knights in control. Sophia Martin finished twice, once unassisted and the other assisted by Jordyn Simmons, both midway in the half. Aaron made 14 saves for the Knights
On Friday the Knights traveled through a major rainstorm on the long ride to Hillsville to face the Cavaliers of Carroll County. The end of the journey found more rain and a very wet field.
“It was a call the local AD had to make,” said Smith. “With some extra efforts to clean up, the game was allowed to be played, a minor victory in itself.”
Both goal keepers were involved early and both performed well. Forty minutes later the teams went into the break with a scoreless tie.
The second half started much like the first, but in the opening five minutes Sophia Martin scored a beautiful goal high and wide, assisted by Ayden Jennings, who had been dominating the middle of the field most of the match. In the closing minutes of the game Kitt scored in traffic, assisted by Simmons. Aaron had 11 saves for James River
River is back in action tonight with a game at defending state champion Glenvar. They have a non-district match at Bath County Friday, then end the regular season next Monday when Radford comes here.
