Albemarle’s boys soccer team kept its state championship hopes alive Tuesday night as the Patriots defeated visiting Grassfield 1-0 in the group AAA state quarterfinals. Propelled by an early goal from senior Kai Marshall and an impressive performance in the net by sophomore keeper Matt Natale, the Patriots held on to clinch a spot in the state final four this weekend.
Just eight minutes and 19 seconds into the game, junior Luc Fatton delivered a ball from midfield that put Marshall through on a breakaway, where the forward placed a shot into the lower right corner to give the Patriots an early lead.
“My boy Luc Fatton, he’s a great player. He found me one on one with a guy, I made a good run, he just played it through, it beat the guy, and I just stuck it in the back of the net,” Marshall said.
Later in the half, Albemarle had an opportunity to increase their lead, when a deflection from the Grassfield defense sent the ball through the keeper’s legs, but the Patriots were unable to convert on the loose ball.
On the other end of the field, Natale’s solid play kept the game scoreless going into the half, as the sophomore made a diving save on a Grassfield header and picked off numerous balls flying into the box.
The second half proved to be a different game, as Albemarle was forced into a more defensive role.
“In the first half we definitely maintained the momentum. In the second half we lost it. I think it’s a credit to our back three on the defensive line and our keeper. They did a great job, and we kind of weathered the storm,” said Albemarle head coach Scott Jackson.
Natale was asked to come up big throughout the half, stuffing a shot from close distance midway through the period, and then preserving the shutout with a kick save on a breakaway at the top of the box with 16 minutes remaining.
“Matty came up big for us and made a lot of great saves,” Jackson said.
With time winding down, Albemarle found their offensive groove again to release some of the pressure from their defensive end and hold on for the win.
“In the last 10 minutes, we finally got hold of the game again – good attack, find feet, and go to goal,” Jackson said.
With the win, the Patriots advance to the group AAA state semifinals.
“It’s so exciting. I can’t even believe it. I don’t even know what to say. These guys worked really hard. Our whole team’s been working together really well. We deserve it,” Marshall said.
The game will be played at 2 p.m. Friday as part of the Westfield Jubilee in Northern Virginia. The Patriots will take on Lake Braddock High out of the Northern Region.
“We had a great week last week – probably the best week we’ve had as a program in the last five years – with our wins, so hopefully we can just keep the momentum going into the weekend,” Jackson said.
