Five different Knights scored as James River shut out visiting Alleghany in the boys’ end of a soccer doubleheader in Springwood last week. The girls tied the Mountaineers, 4-4.
“These guys came out and played very good soccer for the entire 80 minutes,” said River coach Jared Whiting. “Our defense was stout and didn’t allow Alleghany many opportunities to advance into our box, and the midfield dominated the field and we finished well in the final third.”
Craig Bowyer and Justin Hill had two goals each for the Knights, and Hill also had an assist. Chase Powell, Chase Cuddy and Skylur Haynes had one goal each and also recording assists were Evan Akers, Dominich White and Haynes. Landen Tolley recorded his first shutout as River’s new goalie.
“We kept a fast-paced game that paid off in the second half,” said Whiting. “It was great to see these guys take our weaknesses in Monday’s game and turn them around and make them our strengths. Proud of these guys for their level of play.”
The boys evened their record at 1-1 with the win while girls remained undefeated at 1-0-1 with the tie. Alleghany started the scoring nine minutes into the match with Kinley Eggleston getting the first of her eventual hat-trick. Four minutes later River’s Morgan Marshall scored the first of her three in an unassisted breakaway.
Alleghany led 2-1 at the half but the Knights’ Sofia Kryder leveled the score 10 minutes into the second period with a successful penalty kick. Two more hard-fought goals from Marshall followed, the first assisted by Kayla Myers and the second by Bridgette West as River took a 4-2 lead. However, the Mountaineers tied the match with two goals down the stretch and two overtime periods failed to settle the score.
“A couple of close calls and some trouble in transition allowed for their (last two) goals,” said River coach Bill Smith. “The overtime periods were both intense.”
James River’s Haley Meadows had 11 saves in the goal while Alleghany’s Emma Williams had 10.
This week, the boys and girls will play a doubleheader at Carroll County on Thursday.