| 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 |
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| Cox rebounds from early deficit with 3-goal finals win over Kecoughtan
Falcons become first Eastern Region school since Kempsville to sweep soccer titles Doug Ripley - May 30, 2008 NORFOLK, Va. - When Karl Kummer curled an impressive right foot just inside the right upper-90 in the 19th minute, things again looked promising for the surprising Kecoughtan Warriors in Friday's Eastern Region boys soccer final. Unfortunately for the Warriors (14-7-0), only the Cox Falcons entered Friday having scored more goals than their opponents in the tournament. The final was no exception as senior midfielder Caleb Thomas scored two goals and sophomore striker Ryan Oakes added both a goal and assist as Cox ran away from Powhatan Field with the 4-1 victory over Kecoughtan. Cox will host Robinson, the runner-up from the Northern Region, in Tuesday's Virginia High School League Group AAA Quarterfinal (7pm) at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. This match will follow the girls quarterfinal at 5pm between Cox and Westfield. Kecoughtan will head to Northern Virginia Tuesday will they will take on Stone Bridge High School at 6pm. Many historical numbers received face-lifts in Friday's final. Cox became just the second school since the tournament added a girls soccer bracket to sweep the regional titles, joining Kempsville who accomplished that feat in 1991. The win also moves the Falcons ahead of the Chiefs in terms of all-time boys championships with ten, the ninth accomplished under Cox head coach Jim Snodgrass. Furthermore, the Falcons (18-2-1) improve to 10-8 in the Eastern Region Championship while the Warriors, making their first appearance in the final since 1992, moves to 3-5 all-time. Will Hess and Robert Alberti opened the match for the Warriors with a flurry of shot attempts against the tight Falcon defense. Cox then got going with a trio of saved shots by Alex Martin and Ryan Oakes. The second shot by Oakes resulted in a quick counter by the Warriors as Kummer made a touch to break loose from his marked man, squared, and roped in the go-ahead goal. Thomas's equalizer came in the 36th minute as Oakes briefly touched the ball back and forth to Hunter Byrnes who crossed the ball left on his next touch. Thomas stood nearly uncontested off a defensive deflection in his direction as he drove home the ball. It provided just enough incentive to get the Falcons rolling out of the break. Oakes made an impressive run up the right side during the 50th minute, juking three defenders before pinging the ball off the far left post and in from outside ten yards. 2:11 after the match winner, Oakes found Thomas again for some important insurance. Taking a pass in from the right side, Thomas pivoted to his right and, on his third touch, slid the ball inside the far left post. Will Martin would provide the finishing touch on a strong second half for Cox who had a 12-3 shot advantage in that span. Eric Bird recovered his own blocked shot in the box off a Ryan Byrnes corner, entered space, and touched it to Martin who went far-post again. White earned ten saves for Kecoughtan while Matt Harkins recorded three for Cox in goal. |
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| MATCH SUMMARY 1-4 CLICK HERE FOR FULL BOX SCORE Total Shots Shots on Goal Saves Corner Kicks Fouls Offsides YC-RC |
| Kecoughtan WARRIORS (14-7-0) |
| Cox FALCONS (18-2-1) |
| 9 4 (White) 10 3 12 0 1-0 |
| GOAL SCORERS 18:30 - Kummer |
| GOAL SCORERS Thomas - 35:59 Oakes - 49:04 Thomas (Oakes) - 51:15 W. Martin (Bird) - 74:34 |
| 21 14 3 (Harkins) 6 7 4 1-0 |
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