Despite Season-High 20 Shots, Boys’ Varsity Soccer Settles for 2-2 Tie

Episcopal continued to dominate possession and press for a second goal and the Maroon created seven shots before the visitors managed their first shot on a direct free kick from 40 yards out in the 29th minute. The nature of the game changed a minute later, when Episcopal earned a penalty kick. The STAB keeper made a diving save to deny the spot kick, which gave his team a jolt of momentum. St. Anne’s turned the renewed energy and hope into more possession and three long-range shots in the last 10 minutes of the first half.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Maroon assumed a more attacking oriented posture that resulted in more possessions in the STAB end of the field. However, several Maroon attacks fell apart due to slow play, or extra dribbling. On the occasions when the team broke clean through, the final shot was often hit at the opponent’s keeper, or wide of the target.

Episcopal’s inability to punch in an insurance goal would come back to haunt them when they conceded two counter-attacking goals just a couple of minutes apart. STAB’s first goal in the 61st minute was the result of a giveaway and a STAB winger was able to gain the end line on the Maroon left flank before laying a perfect pass into the path of a midfielder to slot home the tying goal. With the Maroon still reeling, STAB leveled the score in the 63rd minute when a striker found space outside the box to fire a laser off of the inside of the left post and in to make it 2-1 in favor of the visitors from Charlottesville.

Not long after falling behind Episcopal began to show positive signs and play with more fervor in the attacking end of the field. Herbert Gray ’20 continues to be dangerous on the ball, and when making runs through from his center midfield position. He had a glorious chance in the 69th minute when played in by Androus, but his shot found the hands of the STAB keeper. Gray would turn provider in the 69th minute, when he and Yeabsira Zegeye ’21 combined to create a gorgeous combination to set up Dante Jackson ’21 for the game-tying goal. Episcopal continued to press for the equalizer, but the final pass or shot was not quite precise enough the rest of the way. Episcopal tallied season highs of 20 shots and 10 corner kicks during the afternoon, but the only stat that matters is the final score that ended 2-2.

Important to the Maroon was the play of Edward Powers ’21 who covered acres of ground while providing defensive cover to the midfield when Episcopal pressed for goals in the second half. Marco Uustal ’21 made a number of critical interventions, and Barrett Howell ’22 had several important tackles and clearances when under pressure.

Ranked #7 in the first VISAA state poll, Episcopal’s record now stands at 2-1-3 with one non-conference game remaining.