The James River girls qualified for the state Class 2 soccer tournament last week when they shut out Appomattox in the Region 2C final, 1-0. The Knights then lost to Radford in the region final, 4-0.
By winning the semi-final the Knights qualified for the state tournament, where they were scheduled to play John Battle in Bristol Tuesday. Results were too late for publication, but the winner of that game advances to the state semi-final on Friday at 1 p.m. at Cupp Stadium at Radford University against the winner of a quarter-final game between Maggie Walker and Stuarts Draft. The championship game is Saturday at 11:15 a.m. at Radford U.
Last week the Knights traveled to the Smith River Sports Complex to face the Raiders of Appomattox in a Region 2C semi-final match. The game was delayed by two hours for storms, finally starting at 9:30 p.m.
The game was high energy from start to the final whistle. Both teams played well and took ample advantage of the large turf field. Megan Hill, assisted by Riley Potter, converted with 13 minutes remaining in the first half for the game’s only score.
“Our keeper, Colleen Peery, put in a world class performance between the pipes,” said River coach Bill Smith. “Of her 16 saves on the night a handful belonged on a highlight reel, thrilling the Knights’ fans.”
With a state berth in hand the Knights played Radford for a home site in the quarter-finals, but River came up short, 4-0. Radford scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of the game, earning the home game on Tuesday and sending the Knights to Bristol.
