Right from the start, it seemed as if Kettle Run was poised to score at any minute.
But thanks to terrific defense in the back from Warhill, particularly from Emma Johnson and Shaye Doherty, it took the host Cougars 70 minutes to finally break the scoreless tie.
When they did, instead of giving up after exerting so much of their energy to keep their opponents out of goal, the Lions clawed back to make things interesting and entertaining during the final few minutes before falling 3-1 to end their season in the 3A East Region semifinals.
With 9:59 remaining in the game, Kettle Run’s Liz Keefer punched a loose ball in front of goal into back of the net off a corner to give the Cougars what most thought would be the game-winner.
Warhill, which struggled to gain much of anything out of its attack all game, refused to roll over. Roughly 90 seconds after Kettle Run gained a 1-0 advantage, Allie Darcy headed a ball that the Cougars’ keeper just barely got her fingertips on to deflect away from goal.
On the ensuing corner kick, standout midfielder Lindsey Williams was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty kick, which she drilled into the left side of the net to tie game at 1-all.
Kettle Run answered back with 4:18 on the clock with a goal that was virtually identical to the first. This time, Emily Brummett got her foot on a loose ball off a corner and swatted it in for the game-winner.
The Lions continued to battle as Williams just missed netting a free kick from 25 yards out. The Cougars would put the game away moments later with a breakaway goal courtesy of Taylor Decker.
Tabb Advances with Shutout Win On The Road
Tabb’s girls soccer team defeated Woodrow Wilson High 3-0 on Wednesday night to advance to the 4A South Region Championship.
The Tigers tallied their first goal when Lakaiah Robinson netted a loose ball after a long shot from Ali Brewer outside the 18-yard box was blocked by the Wilson goalkeeper.
Robinson assisted on the Tigers’ second goal, feeding the ball to Leah Tyson who put the ball in the net.
Erin Fenton later added one insurance goal on a header off a cross from Katie Herold.
The win ensures the Tigers a berth into the Virginia High School League’s 4A state tournament next week. But first, the Tigers will face off in the region championship 5:30 p.m. against Midlothian on the road.
