IWA, SA to face-off for it all in soccer
Published 9:24 am Friday, May 9, 2014
BLACKSTONE—After both teams picked up a semi-final win on Wednesday, the Isle of Wight Academy Chargers and the Southampton Academy Raiders will have an opportunity to play for the conference championship today.
Michael Mullen looks to kick a goal against Fuqua. Mullen had a goal on Wednesday in the semi-final match. — Cain Madden | Tidewater News
Both teams picked up shut-out wins on Wednesday, with the Chargers winning 5-0 against Fuqua, and the Raiders 1-0 against Blessed Sacrament Huguenot.
In the Chargers win, Corey Holleman picked up 2 goals, Dylan Poe had a goal on a penalty kick, and Michael Mullen and Will Leaman each had a goal.
The Chargers dominated time of possession, allowing only 7 shots on goal, while earning 12 themselves. Head Coach Caren Moore said it was a very physical game, and the Chargers came out aggressively.
“The kids hustled and played their game,” said Moore. “They worked together as a team. They are all team players and they work very well together.”
SA’s Colby Blythe looks to take possession of a loose ball. Blythe knocked in the game-winning goal on Wednesday against Blessed Sacrament Huguenot. — Cain Madden | Tidewater News
Colby Blythe picked up the win for Southampton on a cross-kick from senior Johnny Tribbett.
“It was a close match, but we had several opportunities in the first half,” said Raiders’ Head Coach Jamie Weist. “We really dominated possession and play, but we just couldn’t finish. In the second half, we finally got our break. Johnny crossed it up, and Colby hit the crossbar with a header. It hit the keeper and fell in.”
Weist said this is Blythe’s first year playing soccer, and that he’s already got his second game-winning goal. The Raiders only allowed 4 shots on goal all game.
“The defense was solid,” Weist said. “I heard a fan say that we were winning every ball in the air. Anything that was loose, we took care of it.”
The Raiders and Chargers faced twice this year, and both times, IWA came away with the win. In both games, however, the Raiders took a lead into the half.
In the first game of the season, the Raiders took a 3-2 lead into the half, but after a back-and-forth match, the Chargers would pull ahead 7-6.
The squads faced again on March 24, and SA would take a 3-1 lead into the half. However, the Chargers came out, scored 4 unanswered goals, and earned a 5-3 victory.
“They are a very good team, and a very well coached team,” said Weist. “Both times we played them, we went into halftime with the lead. But we gave that up in the second half. We’ve got to play better defense to beat a team like that.
“They know how we lost the last two games. We’ve got to remain focused and remain solid in order to win the game. If you give Isle of Wight an opening, they will expose you.”
Moore said they have to go out and play IWA soccer to pick up the win.
“We’ve got a great group of kids that love the game,” she said. “They desire to be on the field, desire to continue practicing. We are just going to continue to be who we are.
“The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins the game.”
