by Chris Naquin
DigitalSports Richmond
Thomas Dale’s fantastic season ends in the state Group AAA boys soccer semifinals.
The Knights were defeated by Northern Virginia powerhouse, Robinson High School 1-0 in Friday night’s first semifinal matchup at Westfield High School.
Robinson forward Alex Makcumbi scored the winning goal for the Rams with fifteen minutes left in regulation to advance to the state finals where they will meet the Deep Run Wildcats, who won their semifinal matchup against Kecoughtan 6-0.
Both teams came out fired up in the first half, as the game went back and forth with some great scoring opportunities.
Thomas Dale forward Patrick Innes came very close to putting the Knights up a goal, when he was able to beat two defenders in the box and rip a shot on goal from just inside the six-yard box that was saved by Adrian Dominguez.
Robinson created some dangerous opportunities of their own in the first half.
Midfielder Eli Hajjar did an excellent job of picking out his forwards from the center of the park which resulted in some dangerous shots and headers on goal.
The match opened up in the second half, as the Rams continued to pressure the back line of the Knights defense.
Robinson forced several threatening corner kicks and with fifteen minutes left, took advantage of one.
Hajjar delivered a hard in swinger that was taken down and put on goal by forward Andrew Teran.
Makcumbi was able to control the rebound and place a shot into the upper corner to give Robinson the 1-0 lead.
As time ran out, the Knights desperately pushed numbers forward in attempt to find an equalizer.
Thomas Dale almost got its wish with under five minutes in regulation, when Will Bates blasted a shot past the Rams goalie but was denied as the ball was cleared off the line by the Rams defense.
Robinson went on to hold the lead and take the victory ending Thomas Dale’s hopes of another state title.
Thomas Dale 0 0 – 0
Robinson 0 1 – 1
R: Makcumbi
Records: Thomas Dale (21-2); Robinson (13-4-3)
Processing your request, Please wait....
