Boys soccer, 3/24: Golob, Chiefs take one from No. 1

by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191

For an early-season matchup in not-so-favorable conditions, Monacan and Cosby turned in a Central Region tournament-worthy boys soccer contest Tuesday night.

The Chiefs, ranked third in the latest DigitalSports Top 10, came away with the victory, topping the No. 1 Titans 1-0 on the cold evening.

Steven Golob converted in the 36th minute of the first half, a goal from about 25 yards out that caught Cosby and the fans by surprise, slipping just over the outstretched hand of standout keeper Sean Stowe.

“I picked my head up,” Golob said. “I saw the goalie was a little bit off his line and just chipped one over and got it in. Got our spirits up, kept playing to the end. Just finished the game off just like that.”

Monacan’s back line played a sensational contest, led by senior defenders Logan Stykemain.

Cosby, playing without senior forward and captain Nick DeProspero (pnuemonia), still had plenty of offensive juice available with the nifty and speedy Pops Richards in the midfield and talented freshman Luis Rendon up front.

But Monacan limited Richards’ shot opportunities and held off any serious Cosby threat until about 10 minutes remained in the match.

Rendon finally got some room and snuck behind the defense.

But Monacan keeper Matt Butta came out from goal and knocked the ball away just enough for Rendon not to have an angle at a shot.

The Titans got it back in the box, but the Chiefs defense, who has only given up one goal this season, hung tough.

“It was a great soccer match,” Cosby coach Mike Anderson said. “They did a good job in the back. They deserve the credit.”

Monacan coach Sean Hollingshead agreed.

“I think the key was our organization in the back,” Hollingshead said. “Our defenders, Logan Stykemain, Jeremy Goff, Justin Pugh, Eric Warren, David Friedrichs, Matt Butta in goal, and everyone in the midfield and forwards, everyone tracked back and really put a solid game defensively.

“They’re so quick and so fast and can score goals in bunches that to hold them to a shutout is pretty good and that’s what we were looking to do.”

One of the guys who could’ve helped Cosby pitch a shutout may have had his season end prematurely.

Senior back Chris Snegon went up high for a ball and came down on his elbow, appearing to fracture his upper arm. The ambulance came and took him off the field 23 minutes into the contest, a big loss for the Titans.

“He’s started in back for us since the school has opened. Tough kid,” Anderson said. “I know he’ll return as soon as he is able to.”

Monacan 1 0 – 1
Cosby 0 0 – 0
M: Golob.
Saves: Butta (M) 12; Stowe (C) 6
Records: Monacan (3-0 Dominion, 5-0); Cosby (0-1, 1-1)