By Bryan Rothamel / Flucoblog.com
PALMYRA – Charlottesville’s consistent shooting led the Black Knights’ girls soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Fluvanna Monday night.
The game-winning goal came in the 60th minute when CHS junior Caroline Bray’s 30-yard free kick bounced past the diving Fluco goalie Morgan Symmers.
Charlottesville controlled most of the first half and almost all of the second half. The Black Knights took eight of their 11 shots on goal in the second half. The Flucos managed just three shots on goal total.
“I told the girls, let’s play simple soccer which is simple passes. Good soccer is simple, don’t try to make it complicated, don’t play physical,” said Charlottesville coach Fernando Opere. “We were able to dominate the center and take more shots on goal. Their goalie was sensational. It was really a joy (to watch Symmers). I said to [an assistant CHS coach] what a good goalie.”
Fluvanna’s Kristen Davis was equally excited about her sophomore goalie, the 2012 Scrimmage Play newcomer of the year.
“She had amazing saves,” Davis said. “She kept us in the game, kept the intensity up, made everyone want to fight and dig down. She was doing such an amazing job keeping those balls from going into the goal.”
Charlottesville struck first in the 30th minute when a corner kick bounced around the 18-yard line until Althea Pickering knocked it just inside the left post.
Fluvanna’s lone goal game when Megan Macaulay, one of two FCHS seniors, had a 20-yard free kick bounce into the net in the 34th minute.
After the Bray goal, Charlottesville added a third goal in the 72nd minute when Abigail Intolubbe-Chmil passed across the box for a streaking Lana Womack.
“This is the first game we’ve played this season. We’ve played a couple of scrimmages this season but I really didn’t know what type of team I had,” said Opere.
Opere will get plenty of chance to see his team this week. The Black Knights (1-0, 1-0 Jefferson District) will play Tuesday (at Collegiate School), Thursday (vs. Western Albemarle) and Saturday (at John Handley).
Next up for Fluvanna (1-2-1, 0-1 Jefferson District) is Spotsylvania on April 10.
