Wildcats Clinch Regional Spot With 2OT Win

Written by Jeremy Franklin

Ely Spencer's double-overtime goal lifted Rockbridge County into the Region III playoffs with a 2-1 win over Northside in the third-place match of the Blue Ridge District boys' soccer tournament in Lowmoor on Friday evening.

Spencer, who had scored the game-tying goal with 10 minutes left in regulation, won the match with the 17th goal of his freshman season, ringing a shot inside the top left corner to finish off a beautiful scoring sequence that sent the Wildcats (11-8-0) back to the regional tournament.

Less than two minutes into the start of the first golden-goal double OT period, Luis Ramirez sprayed a textbook long ball that played Kirk Waller through up the left flank. Waller darted to the goal line, and then served a pinpoint pass back to Spencer for the finish.

After a fairly uneventful opening hour, the action picked up significantly in the final 20 minutes of the second half. An own goal gave Northside the lead in the 68th minute, as Bryce Wilson's long throw-in slipped through the fingertips of RCHS goalkeeper Javier Ramirez -- who was staring directly into the sun -- and into the net.

But the Vikings' lead proved to be short-lived. Just two minutes later, Miles Bent dragged in a superb cross from the right corner, and Spencer tapped in the equalizer from inside the 6-yard box.

The Wildcats controlled play throughout the overtime periods, outshooting Northside 5-0 during the extra sessions. Rockbridge County held a 23-8 advantage in shots in the contest, but Viking keeper Zack Large made seven saves to keep the RCHS offense at bay.

Rockbridge County will return to action in the first round of the Region III tournament on Monday. Time, location and opponent will be announced later this weekend.

Wildcats and Blues Drop District Semifinal Softball Games, RCHS Baseball to Play in Semifinal Friday

Written by Jonathan Schwab

Fri., May 24 -- Despite a five-run rally in the fifth inning, the Rockbridge County High School softball team found itself overwhelmed in the Blue Ridge District Tournament semifinals on Wednesday and Thursday, falling to top seed Northside, 15-6, at Staunton River.

The fourth-seeded Wildcats (12-9 overall, 4-8 district) saw the Vikings (20-1, 11-0) power their way to an 8-0 lead in the first inning on Wednesday before thunderstorms suspended play.

Pitching for RCHS were Anna Hartman, Logan Fitzgerald and Lauren Rowsey. Fitzgerald also brought in two runs with a fly ball single to center field in the fifth.

Today the Wildcats will return to Staunton River to play in the third-place game at 5 p.m., vying for a berth in the regional tournament.

The semifinal between the RCHS baseball team and William Byrd was postponed for the second day in a row because of thunderstorms. The teams are scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. today at Lord Botetourt, with the winner going on to play Alleghany for the championship tonight at 7:30 and the loser playing Staunton River in the third-place game to try for a regional tournament berth.

For Parry McCluer High School, the softball team came up short in an 11-10 contest to Craig County in the Pioneer District Tournament semifinals in Buena Vista. McKenzie Henderson belted a solo home run for the Blues, and teammate Lexy Johnson went 5-for-5, scoring three runs. We will update on the Blues' schedule when we have more details.

Late Goal Lifts Alleghany Past RCHS

Written by Jeremy Franklin

Patrick Burns scored on a free kick with 17 minutes to play as Alleghany edged Rockbridge County 1-0 in a Blue Ridge District boys' soccer semifinal match in Lowmoor on Wednesday night.

The third-seeded Wildcats (10-8-0) will face No. 5 Northside in the third-place match on Friday with a regional tournament berth on the line. RCHS and the Vikings will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at Alleghany.

Meanwhile, the second-seeded Mountaineers (12-4-1) advance to Friday's championship to face No. 1 seed Lord Botetourt, which scored in the dying seconds to claim a 3-2 win over Northside in Wednesday's other semifinal.

Alleghany's Burns headed in Tanner Seay's free kick from just outside the 18-yard box with 17 minutes left, scoring what proved to be the match-winning goal.

Miles Bent had a chance for an equalizer with four minutes remaining, but his shot hit the crossbar.

Playing without two key starters -- Eliot Alford missed out after picking up a red card in Monday's 3-1 quarterfinal win over Staunton River, while Alec Roy was dropped due to an injury -- the Wildcats fought hard against a team that had beaten them 5-1 and 5-3 in the two regular-season meetings.

"We executed our game plan very well, played with a lot of heart and energy tonight, but just came up on the short end of a well-played soccer game," RCHS head coach Dan Evans said.

Wildcat Softball and Baseball District Semifinals Postponed to Thursday

Written by Jonathan Schwab

Thurs., May 23 -- Thunderstorms on Wednesday postponed Blue Ridge District Tournament softball and baseball action for Rockbridge County High School.

In the softball semifinals, the fourth-seeded Wildcats were down 8-0 to top seed Northside in the bottom of the first inning at Staunton River. Play is scheduled to resume at 5 p.m. today. The Wildcats reached the semifinals by defeating Staunton River, 4-1, on Tuesday at RCHS. On the mound for RCHS was Anna Hartman, striking out eight and allowing four hits and two walks in her school-record 40th win. RCHS scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to break away from a 1-1 tie, one on an double by Kailee Root and the other two on a single by Rebecca Riley.

In the baseball semifinals, the sixth-seeded Wildcats will take on William Byrd at Lord Botetourt High School today at 7:30 p.m. RCHS reached the semifinals by capturing a 5-2 win over Lord Botetourt on Tuesday in Daleville. Pitching the Wildcats it victory was Ryan Coale, striking out six and allowing six hits and three walks. Leading RCHS with two hits each were Luke Brinkley, Connor Staton, Zack Wells and Jordan Dye.

We’ll update more as the postseason continues.

Byrd Knocks Wildcats Out Of Blue Ridge Tourney

Written by Jeremy Franklin

Rockbridge County fell 4-0 to William Byrd in the quarterfinals of the Blue Ridge District girls' soccer tournament in Vinton on Monday evening.

Katie Abelseth finished with a goal and two assists as the fourth-seeded Terriers (9-7-0) brought the fifth-seeded Wildcats' season to a close at 3-14-0. William Byrd advances to the semifinals to face No. 1 Northside on the road on Wednesday.

The two teams endured an hour-long weather delay midway through the first half with the score knotted at 0-0. Adama Kamara had a handful of chances shortly after the restart, including one that Byrd goalkeeper Hannah Henley had to parry away.

But it was the Terriers who broke through, scoring twice in the final 12 minutes of the first half. Byrd went up 3-0 eight minutes into the second stanza, and then -- with RCHS switching to a more attacking style out of necessity -- added a fourth goal inside the final 10 minutes.

Taylor Gallagher, Rachel Nicely and Nicole Olsen each scored a goal for William Byrd, while Marisol Tenorio made 11 saves for the Wildcats.

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