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Sports Minute! April 22, 2024: Athelete Spotlight; Hoos in the hall; Muskett shines
The Albemarle and Western Albemarle boys soccer teams both entered the week unbeaten in the Jefferson District, amplifying the intensity when they clashed on Monday night.
“This is probably the biggest game of our season so far,” Warriors head coach Michael Nafziger said. “Albemarle’s a formidable opponent, and we made sure to bring the energy throughout our whole team.”
The Patriots drew first blood about 16 minutes into the game off a free kick opportunity. The ball was deflected off a Western Albemarle player before one of their counterparts booted it to the back of the net.
Twelve minutes later, the Warriors were advancing up the field quickly. The ball ended up in the control of Trip Janucik, who was bursting down the right side. As he approached the box, he quickly passed it directly to his left, where Jamey Williamson headed it into the goal to tie it up.
“Our guys were playing with urgency to earn that goal,” Nafziger said.
Not long after, Western Albemarle struck again. Dillon Bergert dished it to his right, where it bounced off Janucik’s chest. He gathered the ball in front, and swiftly lifted it past the goalie for a 2-1 lead.
Coming out of halftime, the Warriors quickly extended their lead. Janucik found Williamson again, who rolled it into the bottom right corner of the goal with 36:39 left.
Western Albemarle maintained control for much of the second half, and did not allow many clean shot opportunities.
“Our back three in possession were completely dominant,” Nafziger said.
The Patriots cut the advantage in half with another score off a free kick with 6:26 to go, but the Warriors ultimately held on, 3-2.
Western Albemarle’s Trip Janucik celebrates after scoring in Monday’s game against Albemarle.
WAHS improved its record to 9-0. The team has shown an ability to recover from early adversity, as its last three victories have been won after allowing the first goal.
“We’ve always responded,” Nafziger said. “I think our guys have tremendous confidence and belief in ourselves. We just have to figure out how to come out harder, and make sure we stop giving up that first goal. But [tonight], the guys never doubted that we had it in us that we could come back.”
The Warriors will next play at home against Louisa County on Thursday, while Albemarle will aim to bounce back on its home field versus Orange County on Thursday.
Chris Gionta
cgionta@dailyprogress.com
@Chris_Gionta on X
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Sports Minute! April 22, 2024: Athelete Spotlight; Hoos in the hall; Muskett shines
Western Albemarle’s Trip Janucik celebrates after scoring in Monday’s game against Albemarle.
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