The James River girls got the soccer season off to a fast start with two wins in their first three games last week. River beat Auburn, 3-1, and Bath County, 8-0, before dropping a 3-0 decision to Waynesboro.
The girls opened the season at Riner against the 2024 Class 1 state champion Eagles and took it to the home team in an exciting match.
Sophia Martin opened the scoring for the Knights three minutes into the match, assisted by fellow sophomore Rhaya Kitt. The majority of the first half was played end to end and with less than two minutes left in the half, Kitt finished with an assist from freshman Jordyn Simmons to take the team into the break with a 2-0 lead.
The second half was more of the same. James River had some strong offense, but the Auburn defense prevented quality chances. Kitt made a brilliant run through traffic to finish unassisted at the midpoint of the half for a 3-0 lead and the Eagles tallied a late goal for the final score. Kylee Aaron had nine saves for River.
Last Thursday at Bath the Knights kept the ball rolling with an 8-0 win. Kitt had three goals and an assist, Martin had two goals and an assist and Ayden Jennings had two goals and two assists, including a score on a long free kick. Haley Rader had one goal and Jordyn Simmons had an assist and Aaron had to make just one save for the shutout.
On Friday at home Waynesboro visited and took the 3-0 win. The Little Giants were up 2-0 at the half and added a second half goal. Aaron kept the Knights close with 16 saves in the goal but River never could find the back of the net on the other end.
River is off for spring break this week, returning next Monday when the girls return the trip to Waynesboro. Then, a night later, they play a back-to-back at Nelson County.
