Just like the last time they met, the matter couldn’t be settled in regulation. However, unlike last time, their were no overtime heroics.
After Monticello scored late in the first half, Fluvanana County answered back a full forty minutes later. And although both squads had their chances in the two overtime periods, neither team could finish the job and as result, the Mustangs and Flucos left the field with a 1-1 tie.
“It was a beautiful night of soccer for both teams,” said Monticello coach Jessie Wright. “I told my girls, if you can be mad at a tie, that’s a good game and especially against a team as good as Fluvanna is.”
The Mustangs put on early offensive pressure and managed to keep the Fluvanna defense on its heels for much of the first half. After a fistful of shots that sailed high, wide or right into goalkeeper Emily Brown’s hands, Monticello put the first goal of the game on the board on a Jessie Wingo free kick that was beautifully placed into the top of the net.
“I practice that shot all the time when we’re taking water breaks or after practice,” Wingo said of shot. “So I felt comfortable and confident. I just placed the ball and shot.”
Both teams dug in from that point forward as corner kicks provided the bulk of the scoring opportunities. As the clock started melting away, the Flucos starting knocking on Monticello’s door late in the second half.
“Everyone who took the field for us played great there,” said Fluvanna coach Tara Garcia. “That’s what has to happen. Any given day we’re going to see good competition and it only helps us get ready for where we want to be.”
With just under seven minutes remaining, Fluvanna put in the equalizer when Tyler Drake ripped off a shot that bounced off the goal post and found itself on Alex Lamb’s foot and the Flucocs senior midfielder put it away.
“Tyler Drake came down the field for us with the ball there,” Lamb said. “(The goal) couldn’t have happened with out her. I just tried to place it in the far right corner and there it went.”
In overtime Wingo nearly put her team on top on a high shot from outside the box that came down and slammed into the crossbar. Teammate Claire Wolanski then got a great look on a breakaway but was unable to get off a clean shot.
The Flucos also had their chances as after suriving a Monticello break-away, Tyler Drake broke loose herself. However just like Wingo and Wolanksi, Drake’s attempt came up short.
“It wasn’t meant to be,” Garcia said. “But I think we walk away happy that we came off of a loss to Western (Albemarle) where did not play well because we were a different team on the field tonight.”
Fluvanna (7-3-2, 5-3-2 Jefferson) hosts William Monroe on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Monticello (8-2-1, 8-1-1) travels to Goochland on Thursday at 5 p.m.
