Something about playing in Crozet apparently suits Charlottesville boys soccer’s Thomas Birle. Birle blasted a free kick into the top right corner over the wall Western Albemarle’s players had set up to put the Black Knights up a goal with 21:15 to play in the game.
“I was headed there the whole way,” Birle said. “I’ve been taking free kicks for this team since 10th grade and there’s something about (Western’s) field, something in the water. That’s my third free kick goal in three games here.”
Unfortunately for Birle and Charlottesville, that margin didn’t hold up as Western equalized with just under seven minutes to play. After two five minute overtime periods, the game ended in a tie at 3-3 in the latest deadlock in the rivalry.
“Something happens to us every time against Western,” Birle said. “(They’re) the best games of the year, especially here because they have so many good fans, I love playing here. There’s nothing like playing Western.”
In the last three games in Crozet, Charlottesville lost 5-4, tied Western 0-0 . Including Monday’s clash, the last four installments of the rivalry have been either a tie or decided by a single goal. In short? They’ve been knockdown, drag out battles.
“This harkens back to the days when I played (at Western) when CHS and us always battled,” said Western coach Milo Oakland. “That’s what it reminded me of. That was as exciting a tie as you’ll ever see.”
Western’s equalizer was somewhat controversial, prompting a meeting between two of the officials before it was confirmed as a goal. The tally came on a free kick, and Will Thomas appeared to head the ball in for the Warriors, though Charlottesville contended it came off Thomas’ arm.
“I didn’t see it, but from what I heard, it sounds like we might have gotten a little lucky,” Oakland said. “I’m not proud of it, but I just didn’t see it and sometimes you get lucky.”
Both teams had brilliant goals, with Birle’s highlighting the Black Knights’ three scores, with Evan Blow and Alex Pfister (on a penalty kick) scoring CHS’ other goals to put Charlottesville up 2-0. Western countered with Jake Paulson chipping one in over the keeper’s head from way outside and a tremendous shot by Wilson Brown on a free kick that got a little bit of help.
“The wind truly played a big factor in that one,” Brown said. “It was kind of far out but with the wind it was definitely able to go in. It was really a momentum changer after a rough PK call.”
Brown’s score evened the game at 2-2 shortly before the half and bailed the Warriors out after a strong early effort by Charlottesville.
“We made a couple of mistakes and they capitalized on them,” said CHS coach Stephan Cost. “But we were working hard, we had the run of play in the first half, we were threatening, we just couldn’t execute the finish.”
On May 5, both squads will get another chance to try and execute the finish.
