Riverside soccer’s surprise run ends with loss in state title game

Placeholder while short article actions load

A soccer group with six losses does not frequently attain the point out championship recreation, nevertheless Riverside did just that next an stunning operate through the Virginia point out playoffs.

But right after an upset of Region C champion Clover Hill in the quarterfinals and a blowout earn more than Kecoughtan in the semifinals, the Rams’ surge came to a halt with a 2- loss to Cox in the Course 5 championship match Saturday in Ashburn.

“With the way our normal period performed out, I have obtained to be trustworthy with you, we unquestionably did not predict that our season would conclusion in the championship video game,” Riverside Coach Kieran Harris reported. “I signify, you see how gutted these men are, like it absolutely stings, but on the other hand, we’re just satisfied and most likely a bit fortunate to be in this article, so it is hard to be mad with the final result.”

Mainly because of accidents, Riverside (15-7) had a regularly altering lineup. But as the playoffs came into view the Rams started out to get nutritious.

With health and fitness came confidence and a sense of belief, which translated to wins as Riverside used its frequent period adversity to band together for a distinctive operate.

“It’s form of humorous,” senior Alexander Thissell claimed. “People check with us all the time how we got here, and I attempt to assume of a thing deep or fancy to say, but truthfully we just started off believing in a single yet another and the wins started off rolling in.”

Following almost doubling up its opponents (20-11) throughout the to start with 5 games of the postseason, the Rams had been unable to reach the back again of the net versus a stingy Cox group that had allowed just five goals in the playoffs.

“I assume that in some strategies we had been just out of fuel currently,” Harris stated. “Felt like maybe we burned via our determination tank when we scored 6 yesterday. We experienced a ton of great looks, but very little went our way. That is what will make this stunning game so difficult at situations.”

For Cox (16-4-1), Robbie Morgan’s two objectives ensured that the Falcons’ extensive drive residence to Virginia Seaside would be a festive a single. Saturday’s title was the program’s initial in 12 decades.

“Whenever you have to journey a long distance like we did currently, there’s constantly a worry that the young children will arrive out sluggish or not have their usual juice,” Cox Mentor Eric Blackmore reported. “But person, did they appear play their hearts out now. That is a good Riverside staff more than there that gave us every little thing they had, and our men stood toe to toe with them. I could not be extra happy.”

Share