File photo
Nelson County edged the James River girls, 1-0, in a Region 2C soccer game last Friday to end the Knights’ season. The game was moved to Amherst County High School to play on the turf field after a week of rain.
The game was delayed by a strong thunderstorm, but the weather cleared and was not a factor once play began. The large fast field supported a fast tempo of play from the start and good drives were met by solid defense at both ends of the field.
With 16 minutes left in the first half a momentary breakdown of communication on the James River defense gave the Governors’ Laney Harvey an opening, which she converted to put Nelson County in the lead. Some brilliant attacking play by the Knights, paired with poor finishing, kept the excitement high for the rest of the half.
In the second half close calls, missed shots and keeper saves continued to frustrate the Knights. Nelson’s goal keeper, Piper Kelly, made a spectacular save in the closing minutes, blocking a hard shot at close range to keep a clean sheet and the win. Kelly had 14 saves for the Governors while Kylee Aaron made 12 saves for the Knights, putting her total for the season at 203.
The Knights finished the season at 10-7-1 while Nelson County advanced to Tuesday’s game with Chatham at the Smith River Sports Complex.
“It has been a great season,” said River coach Bill Smith. “I’m disappointed in this loss and I know that on a different day we could have won that game, but the girls have been great all season. We have a respectable record and a team that works well. We return next year with a strong group and should have another exciting season.”
