by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
A 0-0 match went to 2-0 in the blink of an eye, as Thomas Dale topped Matoaca Tuesday night in boys soccer.
Matoaca, fresh off a No. 9 ranking in the latest DigitalSports Top 10, gave Thomas Dale all it could handle, with 10 players no less.
Matoaca’s top player, Mason Page, received a red card about 25 minutes into the match. But the Warriors still managed to keep the No. 1 Knights scoreless for a lengthy time period.
A lot of credit has to go to defender and captain Dillon Prendergast, who marked the sensational Will Bates the entire first half, limiting the U.Va.-bound forward’s opportunities.
“I’m really happy with the effort,” Matoaca coach Corey McConville said. “Especially playing 10-men down. The effort’s there … [we need to work on] our one touch and get into more of a rhythm.”
Dale struggled to find its rhythm, but things started to fall in sync once Dale coach Mark Fowler moved Bates to midfield.
It took some defenders out of areas and allowed Dale to strike.
First was Joseph Stover, who converted with 12:30 to go in the match off a beauty of a feed from Jack Bates.
A couple of minutes later, Loudon Phillips barreled down the field and outmuscled a Warrior defender for an easy goal and 2-0 final.
“They wanted to come out here and win tonight,” Stover said. “They were a great side tonight.”
Thomas Dale 0 2 – 2
Matoaca 0 0 – 0
TD: Stover, Phillips
Saves: Groben (TD) 3; Phillips (M) 9
Records: Thomas Dale (9-0 Central, 9-0); Matoaca (7-2, 7-2-1)
Processing your request, Please wait....
