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Defensive Lift: Charlottesville boys soccer knocks off Monticello to win region title

Photo by Malachi Keys

 

We’ve all at some point heard the cliché, ‘defense wins championships’ because it’s true, great defenses often do. Charlottesville boys soccer team added yet another plank of support to that argument, leaning on its defense to take down Monticello 2-1 to win the Region 3C Championship in an All-Jefferson District region final.

 

Both teams came into the matchup having already clinched state tournament playoff berths but were still hungry for the regional championship trophy for school pride and bragging rights against crosstown rivals. 

 

In the first half, the Black Knights asserted their dominance. Although it wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard, Charlottesville controlled possession by a tilt of about 75 to 25 percent. With precise and accurate passes by nearly every Black Knight on the field and an early goal by Lucas Simpson, it looked like Charlottesville was going to run away with the match. 

 

Without having the time of possession on their side, the Mustangs still found ways to be effective while they had the ball. With a goal scored off a free kick by Hayden Slater that tied the game 1-1, Monticello found their first goal of their season against Charlottesville. The rest of the half, included some misfired Black Knight shots, and Monticello found themselves in the unlikely position of being tied with Charlottesville’s high-powered offense at halftime.

 

Coming out of halftime, it was more of the same dominance from Charlottesville. After yet another excellent cross from Nasir Lindsay, Senior Lucas Fuller scored for the Black Knights, putting them up 2-1. 

 

Unfortunately, due to poor conditions and lightning, there was a temporary weather delay that sent both teams back to the locker rooms about halfway into the second half. In a sense, it killed the momentum that Charlottesville built. 

 

Before resuming play, when both teams came out, Monticello came out looking animated and renewed. Monticello pressed up on Charlottesville and put pressure on their defense. Inevitably, Monticello took several shots at goal, and were nearly successful if it weren’t for the astounding goalkeeping by junior Jacob Engel. 

 

“The lightning delay really set us back a little bit,” said Engel. “We knew they were going to come out differently, but we knew we could still make it out in the end, and just hold them out for a 2-1 victory.” 

 

Even though Monticello lost, coach David Rivera is proud of his group, the effort they displayed out of the field, and their chances going into the state tournament. 

 

“I told them (Monticello) our run hasn’t ended,” said Rivera. “I firmly believe that we can come back, and probably face them in the final at states. We worked hard. We never knew we would be here, but all the credit to the coaching staff and the players.”

 

 

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