Stories

Strong defensive performance powers CHS boys soccer past Albemarle

Photo by Bart Isley

Charlottesville’s boys soccer team knew how Albemarle was going to attack Monday night in an early season clash between two of the Jefferson District’s top squads.

 

“We knew they were going to come in with the long balls so we practiced dropping back and our two center backs were up on the striker, one in front of him and one behind him if the ball goes over,” said Charlottesville senior Yahya Mohammed.

 

But having a plan and knowing what’s coming doesn’t make the Patriots any easier to stop, you’ve still got to do it, and Mohammed and the rest of the Charlottesville defense rose to the occasion, clamping down in a 3-1 victory over the Patriots.

 

“We knew Albemarle was going to be playing direct and they had pace up top and that’s a hard thing to handle,” said Charlottesville coach Stephan Cost. “You have to handle that at multiple points on the field and one of them is center back.”

 

Mohammed frustrated and repelled Albemarle’s offensive runs all night, helping prevent the Patriots’ quick strike ability from getting going until a late Michael Vaughn goal.

 

“He’s a smart player,” Cost said. “Him and Kyle (Lehnert) work together, they step at the right times, they cover for each other, he’s a very good soccer player.”

 

The Patriots, the defending Group 5A state champions, have retooled their offensive attack again with the graduation of Brendan Moyers, and a number of speedy, capable forwards have expanded their roles, led by Eliya Budugure. That group couldn’t crack Charlottesville often enough though as the Black Knights kept the pressure on offensively and managed the counter attack well.

 

“They’re big, fast and strong and they’ve got a really good senior class,” Albemarle coach Scott Jackson said of Charlottesville. “They’re a really good team.”

 

Mohammed and the Black Knights’ defense were able to do the balance of the squad’s heavy lifting with a lead after Ayat Mohammed scored by crashing the goal on an Evan Blow setup with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. Then CHS tacked on another goal, this time by Dani Szabo, with under a minute to play in the half with Alex Pfister assisting.

 

They kept that momentum going with an early second half goal by Abibi Osman, again off a Pfister assist, giving Charlottesville a 3-0 lead. With all that scoring happening in a 16-minute stretch, the defense and midfield had to handle some protracted battles, but a lead like that is a huge help.

 

“It pumps us up a lot, especially against a good team like Albemarle,” Yahya Mohammed said.

 

The Black Knights pulled off the win without Campbell Brickhouse or Barun Tamang in the lineup while Albemarle played without the services of Andrew Weber, Brandon Mahon and, for most of the game, Daniel Starr. Albemarle’s missing elements have specifically led to a lot of younger players playing larger-than-expected roles early.

 

“We’re getting the young guys a lot of opportunity to play right now and we’re pretty happy with how they’re responding but we’re just young,” Jackson said.

 

For the Black Knights, it’s a critical early season win and a testament to how deep and dangerous they can be with three different players contributing goals and a strong defensive effort.

 

“I love it when all the players get involved and everyone plays a part,” Mohammed said. “It was a team win tonight.”

 

The Patriots will look to bounce back against Mountain View Thursday while Charlottesville’s squad faces a quick turnaround with a road game against Eastern View Tuesday night.

Comments

comments