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Perfect Timing: Von Storch’s first goal of 2019 pushes CHS past AHS

Charlottesville boys soccer had knocked off Albemarle earlier this year. It took a little extra time to repeat that feat in the rematch.

 

But Joe von Storch scored in the 85th minute and the Black Knights held on from there in a 2-1 triumph, completing a sweep of the Patriots.

 

Von Storch outran the Albemarle defense and chased down a long lob, then guided it into the short left corner of the net, drawing the slightest bit of the post as he broke the tie to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

 

The goal — von Storch’s first of the season — provided late excitement following a second half that was largely devoid of drama.

 

“I’d been having trouble finishing my chances this year,” von Storch said. “It’s kind of a blur now, but I was just able to slide it in far post. We want to beat Albemarle every time and last year we got blown out on our home turf, so beating them two times gives us confidence going ahead.”

 

The teams exchanged goals late in the first half for a 1-1 halftime deadlock.

 

After narrowly missing to the right earlier in the half, Daniel Starr broke free in the 36th minute and beat CHS keeper Nathan Fisher for a 1-0 lead.

 

Just when it looked like Albemarle would go into the break with the momentum, Charlottesville threw a punch of its own in stoppage time when Benhui Ryang headed in a high bounced in the box past Patriots goalie Tobi Abramenko to even things at one.

 

“I was hanging out far post because I realized that part of the field was always open,” Ryang said. “I missed the initial ball and then saw Ayat [Mohamed] come back and play another one and I just got my head to it.”

 

Neither team mounted much of a threat in the second half until late, but Fisher and Abramenko rose to the occasion after each faltering right before the end of the first half. Albemarle’s Nicolas Matavelli had a good look from 15 yards out, but Fisher made a sliding save.

 

“Any time you have to play against guys like Daniel Starr and Brandon Mahon, it’s going to be a challenge,” Charlottesville coach Martin Braun said. “Our guys were up for it — our defense played really well, and our midfield did too.”

 

The game was a physical one, especially late, generating many set-piece opportunities. None proved fruitful. Albemarle defenders proved adept at stepping in front of would-be Black Knight shots before they got to Abramenko, but suffered one final breakdown when it mattered most.

 

“If you lose focus for a quarter of a second, that can end up being the difference,” Albemarle coach Zach Laird said. “Every once in a while, your team isn’t the one that makes the plays.”

 

Albemarle takes on Fluvanna on the road on Thursday, which Charlottesville hosts Western Albemarle.

 

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