The James River girls soccer team had a busy time in the past week. The Knights won two of three games over a span of six days, including a split of two Three Rivers District affairs.
Last Wednesday the girls were at Alleghany for a 6-0 shutout win. Sophia Martin got an early goal, assisted by Konner Myers, then Alise Orient scored with eight minutes remaining in the first half off an assist by Victoria Race-Waller. Ayden Jennings and Race-Waller put two more scores on the board to make it 4-0 at the break.
The second half was more of the same with the Knights in control and the Cougars holding off goals through tight marking and strong goal keeping. Rhaya Kitt scored at the midpoint of the half, assisted by Laikyn Crawford. Jennings scored a second goal with 16 minutes on the clock, assisted by Drew Whitson to complete the scoring. Molly McGee and Kylee Aaron split time in the James River goal, each making one save.
A night later the Knights hosted Carroll County in Springwood and dropped a tight 2-1 decision. Carroll led 1-0 at the half and upped the lead to 2-0 in the second half before Martin responded with a goal for the Knights, driving a shot through traffic. Despite many close calls, James River was unable to score again as the Cavaliers headed back to Hillsville with a hard fought win.
On Monday the Knights played at Class 3 Northside and shut out the Vikings, 3-0. Myers scored off an assist from Ava Thacker at the midpoint of the first half to put the Knights in the lead, and that’s the way it stood at intermission.
In the second half Shea Hubbard scored off an assist from Rhaya Kitt at the 10-minute mark to expand the lead to 2-0. Thacker then converted an assist from Myers to finish the scoring for the night.
Aaron had a good night in the goal for River with a clean sheet, six saves and some exciting play at and beyond the borders of the penalty area.
The win evened River’s record at 3-3-1 for the season. The Knights will host Riverheads on Friday at 7 p.m., then the newest member of the Three Rivers District, Patrick County, comes to Springwood on Monday.
