Clinging to a 2-0 halftime lead, with the issue still very much in doubt, the Gladiators exploded for three goals in the first seven minutes of the second half to blow past the Northampton Yellow Jackets and bring home the program's first-ever state soccer title. The Gladiators were making their third straight appearance in the Radford Jamboree to go along with one earlier visit about 10 years ago.
But on this day, thanks to Virginia-Tech bound James Kasak, the Gladiators finally brought the trophy home. He scored both first half goals, the second of which was a thing of beauty. Two Northampton defenders were rather nonchalantly dribbling the ball back toward the safety of their own goalkeeper when Kasak put on a burst of speed and squeezed in between them for a clear shot at the goal. You had to see it to appreciate it but they had their backs to him and it appeared that neither had any idea he was even in the vicinity.
In the second half, perhaps by design, he instead became the Big Red assist man as he did not score any further but directly contributed to that three-goal explosion as he fed Elijah Knopp for two goals, sandwiched around one by Samuel Puffenbarger.
With RHS safely in command, Northampton avoided the shutout at about the 12 minute mark on a goal by their workhorse Jesus Maldonado Lopez. Riverheads then added an insurance goal at about the 7 minute mark. The announcers were discussing something else at the time and did not give credit for that final goal, but it may have been Puffenbarger again.
This report comes from watching the online broadcast only as I did not make the trip but from the sound of the crowd, quite a few Riverheads folks did. So congrats to the Big Red as this trophy will fit nicely in the case beside our three state football titles and the 2013 baseball championship, along with scattered others in track and tennis. Good day to be a Gladiator!
See you on Friday night, August 26th, for RHS vs. R E Lee, Part Two!!!!
But on this day, thanks to Virginia-Tech bound James Kasak, the Gladiators finally brought the trophy home. He scored both first half goals, the second of which was a thing of beauty. Two Northampton defenders were rather nonchalantly dribbling the ball back toward the safety of their own goalkeeper when Kasak put on a burst of speed and squeezed in between them for a clear shot at the goal. You had to see it to appreciate it but they had their backs to him and it appeared that neither had any idea he was even in the vicinity.
In the second half, perhaps by design, he instead became the Big Red assist man as he did not score any further but directly contributed to that three-goal explosion as he fed Elijah Knopp for two goals, sandwiched around one by Samuel Puffenbarger.
With RHS safely in command, Northampton avoided the shutout at about the 12 minute mark on a goal by their workhorse Jesus Maldonado Lopez. Riverheads then added an insurance goal at about the 7 minute mark. The announcers were discussing something else at the time and did not give credit for that final goal, but it may have been Puffenbarger again.
This report comes from watching the online broadcast only as I did not make the trip but from the sound of the crowd, quite a few Riverheads folks did. So congrats to the Big Red as this trophy will fit nicely in the case beside our three state football titles and the 2013 baseball championship, along with scattered others in track and tennis. Good day to be a Gladiator!
See you on Friday night, August 26th, for RHS vs. R E Lee, Part Two!!!!
