| DISCLAIMER: This is NOT an official website of the Eastern Region and its member schools, this tournament and its organizers, or the Virginia High School League. The purpose of this independent, not for profit site is to inform soccer fans in our community and high schools with the latest news, statistics, and other relevant information regarding this tournament. WEBSITE CREATED AND MAINTAINED BY DOUG RIPLEY - 2007 |
 |
| Warriors jump on Maury early for 3-1 victory Alberti's double paces Kecoughtan to final for first time since 1992 Doug Ripley - May 27, 2008 NORFOLK, Va. - The Kecoughtan Warriors have shown in big matches that they can set the tone of the match by scoring early and hanging strong. Twice against Warwick, the Warriors hit an early goal or two and let it ride to victory. Wednesday's closing Eastern Region semifinal against the Maury Commodores was no exception. The Warriors (14-6-0) and midfielder Robert Alberti did it once each half, scoring in the 3rd and 43rd minute to give the Peninsula District Regular Season champs some cushion against one of the area's most dangerous attacks. Sam Hedden would provide added insurance twelve minutes later, silencing the crowd in Maury's backyard at the ODU Soccer Stadium as Kecoughtan up-ended Maury 3-1. Kecoughtan earns not only a Friday night rematch with the Cox Falcons who beat the under-manned Warriors 8-1 on March 20, but also gets to the Eastern Region final and VHSL Group AAA State Tournament for the first time since 1992. The Warriors are also the first Peninsula District squad since Denbigh in 2005 to reach the final. Talented midfielder Tony Tchani's 65th minute penalty kick only proved to be a minor dent asKecoughtan ended the run of one of the strongest Maury sides in recent memory. Mohsin Bouziane's Commodores complete 2008 with a 14-2-3 record and a second consecutive Eastern Region semifinal exit. Alberti's first goal came in the form of a left-side volley off a long free kick from Hedden after an early Commodore foul. Kecoughtan, with the early lead, appeared determined not to relinquish it to their opponents for the remainder of the half despite a 7-4 Maury shot advantage at the break. Maury's best chance to level the match came in the 27th minute on a corner kick possession. Tchani received the Cory Maxey cross and had his attempt blocked by the Kecoughtan defense. Will Grimes approached the loose ball from the right and fired it on frame but Warrior goalkeeper Nick White was there for the save. Alberti and Kecoughtan would make Maury pay early in the second half as he collected a through ball from Will Hess on the left side and roped it in the right corner of the net. Hedden added more insurance for the Warriors in the 56th minute by tapping home a saved shot by Karl Kummer into the near-right side of the goal. The Commodores, despite a 20-10 shot advantage and increased pressure on the Kecoughtan defense as the match entered the closing stretch, couldn't seem to put the ball on frame with 12 shots off target, three blocked by Warriors, and a 70th minute right side strike by Seth Weston off a faked attempt by a Tchani free kick that struck the near post. White earned three saves for Kecoughtan while Maury keeper Tyler Ferring collected two. Kecoughtan and Cox meet Friday at Powhatan Field with match time tentatively set for 7:30pm following the girls final between Cox and First Colonial. |
 |
| MATCH SUMMARY 3-1 CLICK HERE FOR FULL BOX SCORE Total Shots Shots on Goal Saves Corner Kicks Fouls Offsides YC-RC |
| Kecoughtan WARRIORS (14-6-0) |
| Maury COMMODORES (14-2-3) |
| 10 5 (White) 3 2 19 1 3-0 |
| GOAL SCORERS 2:28 - Alberti (Hedden) 42:06 - Alberti (Hess) 55:45 - Hedden (Kummer) |
| GOAL SCORERS Tchani (PK) - 64:08 |
| 20 4 2 (Ferring) 4 9 2 1-0 |
 |
 |
