FINCASTLE – The two Botetourt County high school boys’ soccer teams squared off on the Daleville pitch last Thursday in the second game of a girls-boys doubleheader, and LB came out on top by a 4-1 score.
The match started as a back and forth affair, and both teams exchanged chances on net but neither team could capitalize. A reshuffling at the half bred new life into the Cavs and the scoring soon followed, with goals coming from Kolbe Adams, Patrick Harris, Myles Wickham and Caleb Quinn. Caleb Shockley had six saves for the Cavaliers as the game ended 4-1. Dylan Flint scored River’s goal with an assist to Hunter Keith.
The win evened Botetourt’s record at 1-1 after a 2-1 loss to Salem in the season-opener last Wednesday night at LB
The start of the match went similar to many games from last season, as the Cavs started slowly and failed to match the intensity that was generated by Salem. The Spartans struck first on a Jack Maxey goal.
“The punch on the chin seemingly awoken the Cavaliers,” said LB coach Andrew Moore. “We started playing soccer and really cleaned our game up. We were connecting passes and playing a good match, but just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net.”
Salem scored a second goal just before the half, and that proved to be big. Coming out from the half Moore made several adjustments on the lineup and the Cavs came out with a fire against Salem, but still failed to find the back of the net. Salem keeper Ellison Heil had a big night for the Spartans and was a spark to both their offense and the defense. In the closing minutes Kolbe Adams netted the first Cavalier goal off of a penalty kick, but the Cavaliers fell short of a comeback and the match ended at 2-1.
“Overall we remain a team that is still trying to find itself, and step out of the shadows,” said Moore. “We have some high skill players and it’s just going to take a little more time on the pitch to really bring the team together as a whole. Last year we carried 11 seniors, this year we are pushing 10 sophomores, so it’s going to be a work in progress, but I still expect great things from the team.”
LB is at Blacksburg today to take on a program that is perennially one of the best in the state. Next Monday the Cavs have a rematch at Salem.
The Knights evened their record at 1-1 on Saturday with a win at Glenvar in a rare Saturday afternoon match. Greg Whiting scored on a penalty in the final seconds of regulation to break a scoreless tie and give River a 1-0 win.
Glenvar and River will play again today, this time with River hosting at 7:15 pm. Alleghany is here on Monday for a game, and this time the boys will play first, at 5:30 pm.
