The James River soccer teams will have their work cut out for them when they play Glenvar in Three Rivers District action Thursday night. The girls will be at Glenvar and the boys will host the Highlanders in Springwood.
Glenvar has been a state power in soccer in recent years. The boys have won the last three Class 2 state championships and the girls have been in the final four the past three years, winning the state championship in 2024.
The Glenvar boys will come to Springwood with an undefeated record, although they tied Magna Vista. James River is still looking for a win after losing to Radford last week, 4-1. Angel Morales scored River’s goal with an assist from Brennen Monaghan.
The girls played at home and defeated the Bobcats, 3-0, on a wet and muddy field in Springwood. The Knights broke a scoreless tie with eight minutes left in the period. Sophia Martin made some space just outside the penalty area and cranked a high shot past the Radford keeper to put the home team ahead.
The second half was a little more back and forth, but the Knights stayed in control. A couple of fast breaks by the Bobcats were cleaned up by River keeper Rhaya Kitt coming well outside her box to stop the break. Payton White then drove down the right side 10 minutes into the half to score, giving James River a little margin. Martin put the game out of reach with River’s third goal midway through the half.
Kitt finished with 13 saves as the Knights improved to 3-1 on the season.
