Mathews’ soccer advanced in Tidewater District play this week, with contests against Middlesex, King William and West Point. The varsity Devils scored 11 goals in the three games, but it was only good enough for a win, a tie, and a loss. The jayvee team let three goals in to win two and lose one. Varsity soccer started this district competition with an 8-0 win over the Middlesex Chargers. Most of the team got in on the action, with goals coming from Tommy Morris, Patrick Sopko, Jeremy Robbins, Jacob Vrooman and Ian O’Brian. The game was called with 15 minutes remaining due to the slaughter rule. The jayvee team had a less auspicious beginning with a 1-1 tie. Ryan Morgan scored early off a cross by Grant Avery, but the Devils were unable to add to their lead. The Chargers scored early in the first half to level the score and then played heavy defense to stop the Devils’ charge. Varsity hoped to bring the momentum from their 8-0 victory over Middlesex to its game against the King William Cavaliers. The Devils did, at least for the first half. Mathews scored two goals very early. Robbins put both away, with headers off throw-ins by O’Brian. The Cavaliers rallied in the middle of the second half and slipped two by to level the score. The Devils reclaimed possession, but could not capitalize. The game went into an indecisive overtime period and was called a 2-2 tie. Jayvee faired much better against the Cavaliers, with a 3-0 win. John Jarvis, Eric Johnson, and Morgan all cashed in. “They were steaming from that tie against Middlesex,” coach William Walker said. “As soon as the game started, I knew, by their intensity level, they would win.” On Monday, the Devils faced West Point. The Pointers scored twice early in the first half of the varsity game from over-the-top balls and again from a penalty kick. In the second half they scored once more before the Devils answered. Patrick Sopko, off an assist from Shane Todd, flicked a ball over the goalie to put the Devils on the board. Mathews lost, 4-1. Meanwhile, the jayvee team was dealt its second loss of the season courtesy of the JV Pointers. Johnson scored early, but the JV Devils were just as quickly overtaken by two quick Pointer goals to lose, 2-1.
