Both the Lord Botetourt boys and girls saw their soccer seasons come to an end in state Class 3 quarterfinal round games last week. The boys lost to Western Albemarle, 7-3, while the girls dropped a tight one to Monticello, 1-0.
Western Albemarle hosted the LB boys in Crozet and got off to a quick start, scoring just five minutes into the game on a penalty kick. The Warriors scored two more goals in the next three minutes and led 3-0 with just barely over eight minutes gone.
Botetourt got on the board as Western Albemarle had an “own goal,” but the Warriors found the net again and led 4-1 at the half. An early second half goal made it 5-1 and that was too big a hole for LB to climb out of despite second half scores by Coleman Osborne and Gardner Branscom.
LB finished the season with an overall record of 14-7. It was the second year in a row the team made it to the state tournament under coach Tim Wright.
“This has been a roller coaster season, starting off 9-0 in the regular season to losing our last three regular season district matches, getting knocked out of the district tournament early on and then to making it to the region championship game and earning a bid at states,” said Wright. “The reality is, ups and downs are inherent with anything involving a ‘team,’ whether it is sports, relationships, a job, etc. What I think we did so well was embracing the ride while wrestling out blessings in the difficult moments of the season.”
Botetourt is losing a dozen seniors.
“I like to think our experiences this season have played a part in developing the players for the other rides that this life will offer,” said Wright. “My fondest memory of the season was all 25 guys decided to ride the bus on the two-hour ride home last week. Instead of riding with parents, one more time for two hours they got to be a part of ‘this team,’ enjoying each other’s investment in the other. That speaks volumes to the type of guys I had the privilege to coach.”
The girls played a state quarterfinal game against Monticello in Charlottesville as their season came to an end. Kayla Burton scored a first half goal for the host team and the Mustangs made it hold up.
“I’m very proud of how the girls played against Monticello,” said LB coach Giuseppe D’Arpa. “They fought to the end, they just couldn’t get a goal to go in.”
Botetourt graduated just four seniors off a team that went 18-4 and was undefeated for much of the regular season.
“We have a great group of young ladies with passion and desire to play the game,” said D’Arpa. “The future is very bright for LB girls soccer.”
