BOX SCORE & MORE COMING SOON!
RICHMOND – On a beautiful Wednesday evening at Mills E. Godwin High School, a sizeable crowd witnessed a showdown of two nationally-recognized high school soccer teams squaring off for the first time since the 2009 Virginia High School League AAA Championship.
While the spirited attendance of fans got their money’s worth, many left Axselle Stadium deflated. The Cox Falcons had again snatched a victory from their 26th-ranked Eagles, this time on their home turf by a 2-1 count.
It marks the first come-from-behind victory for the Falcons in 2010 as they extend their overall winning streak to 11 matches.
Parallel to their 2002 State Quarterfinal win at then-#2 Godwin, the nation’s top-ranked Falcons (5-0-0) would need a last minute push to nab victory for the fourth straight time in this tough Richmond trip.
Cox fell behind in the 50th minute after a Dylan Gingerich (GK) foul just outside the right end of the box set up a Godwin free kick. Alex Krider played the ball to the far side of the box to Jon Potter who headed in the go-ahead goal for the Eagles (2-1-0).
The Eagles looked primed to score again moments later but would come up short despite a dangerous run. The Falcons then answered less than three minutes later when junior Drew Hartell scored in traffic, rolling in the equalizer.
The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the remainder of the match. After an even first half, the Falcons took possession and won more balls as the match entered the final stages, frustrating the host Eagles who were avenging last June’s overtime decision. That frustration led to a slew of yellow cards caused either by hard fouls or dissent.
The Eagles’ last booking, the second of the match against midfielder Joe Grossman, set up the match winner in the game’s final possession. His dangerous tackle from behind on a Cox defender resulted in a free kick at the end of the Falcons’ defensive third.
Senior defender Ryan Oakes launched a 70 yard service into the night, coming down near the right post. Hartell, again in traffic, headed a low ball into the left side of the net for a team-best fifth goal of the season.
Cox, with the win, has claimed victories over Godwin in each of the last four meetings and now owns a series lead of 8-0-1, with the draw coming at Cox in 2007.
The Falcons now embark on Spring Break, returning to play two weeks from now. There, Cox will attempt an unblemished non-district campaign on Wednesday, April 14 when they face Eastern District power Maury at Powhatan Field. Kick-off is set for approximately 7pm.
-DR-
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