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Just four games into the season, the Rockbridge County High School girls soccer team has already matched its win total from last year.
The Wildcats, who went 2-14 last year, improved to 2-2 last week by earning a pair of road wins, a 1-0 victory last Tuesday at Fort Defiance and a 6-2 triumph on Friday at James River.
With last Tuesday’s win, the Wildcats avenged a 1-0 home loss to Fort in their season opener five days earlier.
In the rematch, RC sophomore Madelyn Jones scored off an assist from sophomore Sofia Smith early in the second half. RC junior goalkeeper Sophia Perlozzo made five saves to record the shutout.
Reviewing his team’s performance, RC head coach B.J. Flack said, “We were good at moving the ball and had another really close chance that we might finish on another night.”
“We defended extremely well, and it was super for the girls to have the confidence to keep Fort out of the goal.”
Flack said the Wildcats “played without fear, no nerves, and committed to finishing out that win.”
RC 6, JR 2
Jones scored five goals to lead the Wildcats to a 6-2 road win over James River on Friday night in Buchanan.
“Madelyn was fantastic on the evening,” said Flack. “She gets chances every game, and tonight was one of those rare nights in soccer where the kids simply couldn’t miss.
Sophie Vaught scored the other goal, and the Wildcats broke away from a 2-2 tie late in the first half.
Smith dished out two assists for RC, and Eleanor Dare, Lydia Kendall, Hannah Wells and Abby Hickman each added one assist.
“Our assists came from everywhere – fellow attackers, midfielders and even a defender – which shows that we’re working to become a complete team,” said Flack.
Drew Whitson scored both goals for the Knights (0-2). In goal for the Wildcats, Perlozzo made five saves.
Proud of his team, Flack said, “Our recent work in attacking play paid dividends, especially in this match. We were able to identify a couple of areas early in the game where we felt the girls could exploit and have success getting forward.”
Pleased with his team’s improvement, Flack said, “We’re playing with purpose and a bit more ruthlessness than in previous seasons. I certainly do not expect six-goal performances every game, especially with Valley District play looming, but it’s nice to envision the possibilities, and the girls are really dialed in right now.”
“It’s the first time since I arrived that we have strung together consecutive wins,” added Flack, who is in his third year as RC’s head coach. “Hopefully, we keep our focus on the next game only and we’ll see where that takes us.”
The Wildcats were scheduled to play host to Stuarts Draft on Monday and will travel to Stuarts Draft on Thursday before having a rematch at home against James River on Friday. After spring break next week, the Wildcats will play host to Staunton on Monday, April 10 before starting Valley District action at home against Harrisonburg on Tuesday, April 11. All nights will start with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m.
