The Rockbridge County High School boys soccer team came up short 2-1 in the Valley District opener at William Monroe on Friday night in Stanardsville.
The game was tied 1-1, but the Green Dragons (2-1) scored the winning goal with about four-and-a-half minutes left. After WM’s offense got multiple scoring opportunities against the Wildcats (1-1) late in the game, the ball fell to a WM player on one of RC’s clearances, and he put it in the goal. “In soccer, sometimes you’re gonna get that chance,” said RC head coach Jeff Tomlin, who was making his debut at the helm for the Wildcats after replacing Michael Kelly earlier in the week, following Kelly’s resignation. (See separate story.)
Of the final goal, Tomlin said, “We could’ve handled it better, but at the same time, that could’ve easily happened for us.”
Earlier in the game, the Dragons took a 1-0 lead about 15 minutes into the first half. The Wildcats answered with a goal by John David on an assist from Cooper Fox about 15 minutes before halftime. Reviewing the play, Tomlin said WM’s goalkeeper “came out and made an error. Cooper was alert about it.”
For the game, Fox led the Wildcats with three shots on goal. RC senior goalkeeper Eliot McDonald played the entire game and made six saves. “He played a significant role in keeping us in the game,” said Tomlin. “He made good decisions.”
Tomlin was especially proud of his team’s defense, highlighting defenders Gêne Kähler and Paul Drumbl, against a talented WM team.
“They’re a top team, well coached,” said Tomlin of the Dragons. “For us to be tied with them, that speaks to how good our defense did play. We kept the goal pretty clean.”
The Wildcats were scheduled to have their home opener against district rival Spotswood last night. They’ll continue district action at East Rockingham on Monday, with the varsity game only at 7 p.m.
