The James River soccer teams had Three Rivers District games against Alleghany on Monday and split, with the boys winning 8-3 at Alleghany and the girls falling 3-1 in Springwood.
Two Knights had a pair of three goal hat tricks in Monday’s win, as John Laughridge hit the net three times and Justin Hill had three goals and three assists for River. Craig Bowyer had a goal and an assist and Silas Miller also had a goal.
“We played well,” said River coach Jared Whiting. “We moved the ball through midfield with confidence and finished strong in the final third. I have been very pleased with these guys and their effort as we are improving some portion of our play every game. They work hard and play with heart.”
The girls had a battle on their hands at home. They trailed 1-0 at the half as River keeper Kylee Aaron stopped multiple shots, including one with her face, to keep the Knights in the game.
The second half started with Kayla Myers running the field and taking a cannon of a shot from the left corner of the penalty area for the tying goal in the opening minutes. Alleghany’s Kinley Eggleston scored a textbook back post header off a corner kick to put the Mountaineers back on top midway through the period, and she scored an insurance goal in the final minutes to seal the win for the visitors.
“It was a good, hard-fought match,” said River coach Bill Smith. “It didn’t end how we would have liked, but it was a good contest, nonetheless. I am proud of how this young team is playing.”
This week the boys will be at Christiansburg today and the girls will host Floyd County on Thursday.
On Monday both teams will take on Glenvar, with the girls at home and the boys at Glenvar.