By John Shifflett / ScrimmagePlay.com contributor
It was all about quality, not quantity, for the Nelson County boys’ soccer team on Wednesday night.
The Governors took half as many shots as Clarke County but took advantage of their opportunities in a 1-0 victory over the Eagles in the Region B semifinals.
Nelson (15-2-2) made good on its first scoring chance of the game when junior Logan Harris beat a Clarke County defender to a through pass from Albert Lachance and beat Eagle goalkeeper Zac Rogers. The score at the 34:33 mark of the first half came after Clarke County missed on several scoring chances to start the game.
“They had a couple of early good looks but didn’t score and we managed to score on our first good look of the game,” Nelson coach Jeff Harris said. “It was huge to get that first one.”
It turned out to be the difference in the game against an Eagles team that had shut out defending state champion George Mason and previously unbeaten Stonewall Jackson in its previous two games.
The Clarke County offense continued to threaten and appeared to tie the game at the 18:00 mark but an offside penalty negated the goal. The Eagles were able to put shots on goal, outshooting Nelson 12-6, but the Governors’ aggressive defensive backs made sure the opportunities were challenged.
The defensive group of Daniel Vanison, Austin Truslow, Josh Alderfer and Cory Hyde-Lawson harassed Clarke County’s strikers throughout the game while goalkeeper Alex Kirchner made several diving saves to preserve Nelson’s lead.
Vanison, who limped throughout portions of the game, spearheaded the Governors’ defense. The senior was able outjump Clarke County strikers for numerous headers and cleared countless balls out of harm’s way.
“They play with heart and they are smart,” Harris said of his defensive backfield, which has not allowed a goal in two regional playoff games. “They play with such determination.”
Nothing personified the Governors’ grit and savvy than a game-saving play from Truslow late in the second half. With around three minutes to play Clarke County’s Cody Sheaffer got an open look and was able to fire a shot past Kirchner. Truslow was able to get his head on the soaring shot and send it out of bounds. It was the last real scoring chance the Eagles mustered.
Nelson will host the Region B championship game on Friday.
