By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
The Fluco boys soccer team hosted the Bulldogs from Goochland County on May 19. Goochland tied the score on a header in the last minute of regulation. In the second five-minute overtime period, the Bulldogs scored from a scramble in front of the goal after a long free kick. After the game, Coach Jason Davis noted that he felt that his defense lost a little of its focus. But Davis said he was sure that his squad would learn from this loss.
Goochland jumped into the lead with a strong shot over the Fluco goalie and into the top of the net. The goal came after only six minutes of play. For the rest of the first half, the game was mostly in the Flucos control. Four minutes after the Bulldogs goal, Fluco pressure caused a Goochland foul in the box and the Flucos were awarded a penalty kick. Junior Captain Brady Crisp took the penalty kick. The Bulldog goalie stopped the shot but landed prone on the ground without controlling the ball. Crisp promptly jumped on the rebound and fired the ball into the empty net to tie the score.
The Flucos were buzzing around the Goochland goal for most of the rest of the half, earning corner kicks and hitting the cross bar once and sending two headers just too high. With four minutes remaining in the half, the Flucos took a 2-1 lead as senior forward Tavin Cook scored on a break-away.
Early in the second half, Goochland also scored on a break-away on which the Fluco goalie had no chance. With 24:30 remaining the Flucos took back the lead, as Cook scored again on a break-away. This is not unusual, as Davis said that his team generally plays a counterattack style of offense that emphasizes a strong defense and a break-away offense. As time ran down in the second half, the Bulldogs energy built up as they desperately looked for a tying goal. Their increased pressure was rewarded just before time expired.
Assists on Cooks’ goals went to sophomore forward Gavin Underwood and to junior midfielder Cole Barth. Junior Brennan Chiovaro was the Flucos goal tender and played well throughout the game.
The Fluco boys played their final regular season game on May 22 at Monticello High. The team finished over .500 and the future looks good, as only six of a roster of 20 were seniors.
