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YOUR STARTING POINT FOR HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER IN VIRGINIA'S GROUP AAA EASTERN REGION

2009 EASTERN REGION GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Early goals help Cox take Regional title
Falcons out-shoot Chiefs 23-5, Lape (KEM): 12 saves

BOX SCORE

Doug Ripley - May 29, 2009

NORFOLK � The Cox Falcons capped off a week-long clean sheet with a 3-0 decision over the Kempsville Chiefs at Powhatan Field, outscoring its 2009 Regional opponents a combined 15-0 over three matches.

Cox, winners of the Eastern Region Title for a second straight season, three out of the last four and eighth all-time, will take on Forest Park Tuesday at Powhatan Field (5:30pm) while Kempsville will head to Riverbend High School who captured the Northwest Regional title over the Bruins, 1-0.

The Falcons put their first six shots on frame and didn�t look back, out-shooting the Chiefs 23-5 Friday night.

Aside from a pair of Chief counter-attacks, Cox (19-1-2) managed to keep the ball on their attacking third for much of the opening minutes and relentlessly put pressure on the Chief defense and goalkeeper Katie Lape.

Striking first for Cox was Chloe Russell in the 10th minute. After Beth McCabe�s corner kick was headed dangerous toward the far post in traffic, the ball made its way to the feet of Hayley Cook.

The Cox midfielder, positioned at the left corner of the six-yard box, then tapped the ball beyond the top of the box to an oncoming Russell who drove her next touch into the left corner of the net.

The Falcons doubled their lead four minutes later when Martin�s shot near the right side of the �D� was blocked by a Kempsville defender right to the feet of Jessie Klamut who, on the next touch, slotted the ball into the lower-left corner of the net.

Kempsville�s first opportunity of the match came in the 23rd minute. Allie Boubouheropoulos made a run up the right side but was correctly tackled from her right by defender Bridget Montgomery. She eventually helped tap the ball off a Kempsville player for a goal kick.

The Chiefs (12-5-2), who remained down 2-0 at the break, found itself on the offensive in the 57th minute trying to find a way to creep back into the final. Kempsville nearly got on the board when a defensive deflection put the ball in the middle of the box. Caitlin Crockett leaned back and vaulted the ball well over the crossbar for a goal kick.

Five minutes later, the Chiefs were looking good on a run from the opposite side but Julie Ross� hooking right foot dipped too late for another Falcon goal kick.

Kempsville�s last chance at halving the deficit came in the 74th minute when a pair of Chief attackers missed out on putting away a cross from the right side.

The Falcons would make them pay on the ensuing possession. Klamut added an assist to her multi-point performance by chipping a ball up and over to an open Emory Camper who ran it in nearly uncontested for her 25th goal of the season.

Lape came up with 12 saves for the Chiefs who returned to the Regional Final for the first time since 1998. Rachel King picked up the shutout with two saves for Cox.