An early goal, particularly one in a game where both teams were likely ready to settle in for an extended, nip-and-tuck contest after squaring off in a one-goal battle earlier this year, can change the entire complexion of a game.
Western Albemarle senior Forrest White’s goal off a penalty kick less than five minutes in was exactly that kind of goal, a game-altering development that helped power Western to a 5-1 win Monday night in the second installment of the cross-county rivalry.
“It was unfortunate but it was deserved,” said Albemarle coach Jeff Balnave. “Forest is a great player, he buried the penalty and we had to play behind the eight ball.”
The penalty transformed the contest, allowing Western to play with the cushion essentially the entire game.
“(The penalty was) good for us and it was tough for them because it puts a really good team in the hole right from the beginning,” said Western coach Paul Rittenhouse. “That’s a big gamechanger in the first five minutes.”
Western built on the lead from there, scoring once more before the break and again with 23 minutes to go. Chase Stokes struck late in the first half to push the Warriors’ advantage at the break to 2-0 while White tacked on the third goal. Down 3-0, Albemarle woke up all at once and took the attack to the Warriors, scoring to pull back within two goals.
“They just kind of came at us and I thought they dictated the pace for a good part of the second half,” Rittenhouse said. “They pressured us, they forced a lot of turnovers. It was kind of a long haul in the second half.”
That was as close as the Patriots got though, as the Western defense stiffened and the offense scored twice more in the closing minutes with White tallying one of them to pick up a hat trick. Aidan Sinclair scored the other goal late.
Western had to work for all five goals as Albemarle keeper Matt Natale made it tough on the Warriors much of the night including a particularly incredible save on an attack by White during the second half.
The Warriors will try and keep the momentum going against Louisa on the road Thursday while Albemarle looks to get back on track against an old Commonwealth District foe Mountain View on the road.
