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Western Albemarle boys soccer shuts out Albemarle

After winning their first three games by a combined 20-2 margin, the Western Albemarle boys soccer team knew they would face a tough test on the road at rival Albemarle. The Patriots gave the Warriors a good fight, but ultimately, Western passed this test with flying colors, shutting out Albemarle in a 3-0 victory on Monday night. 

 

The Warriors’ win sets the stage for a battle of unbeatens Thursday night at Charlottesville High.

 

Less than ten minutes into the game, Western struck first on a pass by Connor Riggin that found Lucas Moon on the left side. Moon got a solid right foot on the ball, which made contact with the right post before bouncing in to give the Warriors the early 1-0 advantage. 

 

“We’re really excited, we have a lot of momentum going for us,” said Moon after the game. “We were really amped up to play our rivals.” 

 

Albemarle managed to put a shot on cage a few minutes later with a blast by Ethan Ott saved by Western goalie Ryan Marks. Bu that turned out to be one of the few scoring chances the Patriots managed to create in the game. The Warriors played aggressively from start to finish, controlling possession in the midfield and keeping the ball on the Albemarle end of the field for the majority of the game. 

 

“I was really proud of the way they played,” said Western Albemarle coach Milo Oakland. “From the opening whistle, they played as a team. Defensive effort was phenomenal. The goals we scored were of a team effort. That’s what makes it so fun to watch when it’s clicking like that.” 

 

Western added a second goal just eight minutes after their first on a breakaway opportunity that left Alex Keeton one-on-one with Albemarle goalie Trevor Driskill. Keeton was able to put it past Driskill to make it 2-0. 

 

“When you can score from so many different places and outside backs scoring, it makes you so much harder to defend,” Oakland said. 

 

Despite giving up three goals, Driskill kept the Patriots in the game with saves on several occasions, including back-to-back saves late in the half. 

 

Midway through the second half, Western freshman Jamey Williamson had a shot go just over the crossbar. Ninety seconds later, Williamson redeemed himself by heading in a cross from Lucas Moon to make it 3-0 Western. 

 

With the win, Western improves to 4-0 and will play in that critical match at Charlottesville on Thursday. Albemarle plays at Fluvanna the same night.

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