The James River boys were rained out last week delaying the debut of new coach Caleb Quinn but the girls managed to get two games in and earned a split. Both teams will return from spring break with games next Monday.
Quinn takes over for Jared Whiting as boys’ coach at River. The Knights were rained out of games with Eastern Montgomery and Nelson County last week and hope to open the season Monday, March 30, with a trip to Elliston to play East Mont.
The girls were at home last Wednesday to host Nelson County and fell 2-0 on a cold night in Springwood.
“The game was very much end to end with good attacks and strong defense on both ends,” said River coach Bill Smith.
The scoring opened with a penalty kick for the Governors about 15 minutes into the match. Nelson made it 2-0 late in the half and a scoreless second half resulted in the 2-0 final. Rhaya Kitt had 13 saves for the Knights
A night later the girls traveled to Appomattox and evened their record with a 5-1 win. The host Raiders struck first in this game but after that it was all James River.
“Play was slow at first, but after about five minutes it was clear the team was back on track,” said Smith.
Play was almost entirely on the Appomattox end of the field with strong, clean possession by the visitors. Avery Saunders opened the scoring for the Knights, assisted by a textbook Ayden Jennings corner kick 10 minutes into the contest. Three minutes later Sophia Martin scored from outside the box to give River their first lead at 2-1.This was followed quickly by Sonny Sharp finishing, assisted by Saunders.
Saunders scored again with 10 minutes left in the period, taking the Knights into the break with a comfortable lead. Jennings finished from well outside the box early in the second half to round out the scoring and the 5-1 win. Kitt had eight saves for the Knights.
River will be back in action on Monday, March 30, when Appomattox returns the trip.
