The James River soccer teams will take on Conference 38 rival Glenvar on Thursday in a doubleheader at Glenvar. The boys will open the twin bill at 5:30 p.m. with the girls to follow.
The Knights were rained out of a Monday doubleheader at Giles. Those games were rescheduled for May 17.
Last week River split games with Radford, with the boys winning, 3-2, and the girls taking a 3-1 loss. Both games were in Springwood.
Jacob Wagner, Tristan Flood and Brad Stephenson all scored goals for the Knights against Radford and Flood and Ben Woody has assists. The Knights came out strong with high energy and controlled the first half, leading 2-0 at intermission.
“We played very technical and kept our shape,” said coach Jared Whiting. “But we fell into a slump for about 10 minutes in the second half and let Radford back in the game, giving up two goals.”
Stephenson had the go-ahead goal with about eight minutes remaining.
“I’m impressed with our desire, these guys just never give up,” said Whiting. “They shook it off, stepped up their game and finished strong. Radford has a strong program with a lot of talent, which always makes for an exciting game. I think our guys just dug a little deeper.”
The girls game was an intense match from start to finish, but the 2016 state semifinalists were too much for the Knights on this meeting. They started strong and looked solid all night.
Radford sophomore Madison Page started the scoring 15 minutes into the game, assisted by Taylor Hamlin. Ivy Schafer scored with 11 minutes remaining in the half off an assist from Rachel Tousto to put the Bobcats up 2-0 at the break.
The Knights came out strong in the second half, matching the tempo and intensity of the visiting squad. Page scored again in the opening five minutes, making her own space on the dribble. However, the Knights did not let up and River’s Kendra Peery converted a penalty kick 10 minutes into the half after Emma Butler was fouled in the box.
“The star of the James River squad was keeper Colleen Peery,” said River coach Bill Smith. “Her poise under pressure and textbook technique in a very dynamic game broke up attacks and stopped dangerous shots. She was credited with 12 saves.”
Next week both teams are off for spring break, returning April 18 when both play at Lord Botetourt.
