Photos by Leigh Downey
The James River soccer teams will have Three Rivers District games with Radford on Thursday. The boys will host the Bobcats in Springwood while the girls go to Radford.
The boys dropped to 1-2 in the district and 1-4 overall with a loss to Carroll County in Springwood last Friday. The visiting Cavaliers won by shutout, 4-0.
“We played some good soccer, just not enough of the 80-minute game to obtain a win,” said River coach Jared Whiting. “Right now we are playing some excellent soccer but not consistent enough throughout the game. This was still our best game yet and these guys are working hard so I feel good about where we are headed.”
The girls are 5-2 overall and unbeaten after two district matches after shutting out Carroll, 2-0, on a cold and rainy night in Springwood last Friday.
“The visiting Cavaliers seemed unbothered by the rain and the bus ride, but had some trouble keeping up with the home team,” said River coach Bill Smith. “The match was largely dominated in terms of possession and field position by the Knights. Crisp passing and movement characterized the attacking play of the home side.”
River’s Rhaya Kitt broke the ice with a goal with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. The Knights led 1-0 at the half and upped the lead to 2-0 early in the second half when Sophia Martin played a cross to the back post of the Cavalier goal. It was finished on one touch by freshman Jordyn Simmons at close range.
Kylee Aaron had seven saves in a quiet evening for the Knights. That wasn’t the case last Wednesday when Aaron made 26 saves in a 6-1 loss to Nelson County in Springwood. That split the season series with the Governors as River had taken a 3-1 win in a prior game in Lovingston.
“Nelson is a good team and will be a challenge in post season,” said Smith.
Next Tuesday both teams will play Patrick County in district games with the boys at home and the girls in Stuart.
