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Covenant boys soccer slips past Blue Ridge

Covenant’s boys soccer team got goals from three different players, including the game-winner from Grant Reuter with 12 minutes left, in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over visiting Blue Ridge on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Reuter’s tally came following a shot from Alex Wilcox which was just deflected away from the next by Barons goalkeeper Devin Corini. But Reuter was in the right place at the right time for the rebound, putting his team ahead on its 15th shot of the afternoon, reflecting on the effort the Eagles had put in to take the lead.

 

“We always talk about following our shots,” Covenant coach Bryan Verbugge said. “Their sweeper played really well, so we were trying to play smart soccer, going from the inside, outside, back to the middle and seeing what we could do.”

 

The teams exchanged early punches as Wilcox opened the scoring with a point-blank shot past Corini in the 13th minute, while barely two minutes later Blue Ridge tied it on a long free kick from Javier Acevedo. The Barons forged ahead in the 28th minute on another long strike, this one from senior Jacob Douvries from about 30 yards out. Douvries shot grazed the outstretched  fingertips of Covenant keeper Jacob Murrie and into the top corner of the net.

 

“At halftime we talked about playing fast and great combination play,” Verbugge said. “Finding the ball, following our pass. I was pleased to see our combinations on attack work out.”

 

Blue Ridge led 2-1 at halftime, but Soren Scott evened things almost right out of the break with a nifty goal in the 42nd minute.

 

Covenant’s defense stiffened after halftime, limiting the Barons to just one shot after halftime and outshooting them 16-5 overall. The margin may have been wider if not for Corini, who registered six saves, including a spectacular diving stop on Wilcox right before halftime to keep his team in the lead.

 

“Our defense kept doing what they do, they’re full of confidence,” Verbugge said. “They work well together and it seemed like they had good spacing all game.”

 

Covenant returns to action against Stuart Hall on THursday, while Blue Ridge meets Holy Cross on Friday.

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