Boys fluster Flucos at last

Face Charlottesville in tournament quarters Friday

By: Josh Pugh | Orange County Review
Published: May 18, 2011

The Orange Country Fighting Hornets visited Fluvanna last Thursday to face the top-ranked team in the Jefferson District on their senior night. This would be a tall task for the Hornet seniors who have never beaten the Flucos in their high school career, either in junior varsity or varsity matches. However, the Hornets would rise to the occasion and upset the Flucos by a 3-1 score.
From the start, the first half was controlled by the Flucos who began their stellar attack with tremendous midfield and forward connections. This culminated in a goal for Fluvanna when, in the 31st minute, senior Taylor Raftly took the ball down the end line and slid it under Hornet keeper Hunter Ferguson.
Perhaps in the minds of the Flucos, this would be another game when Orange would wilt and take the beating. Not this time. Five minutes later a ball sent by senior William Enriquez found the feet of sophomore Danny Goodsell who put it away, tying the game at 1-1.
The Hornets didn't stop there and continued to push the attack.
"I was proud of our team to respond the way we did after the early goal by Fluvanna, it showed the toughness to battle back," said Orange coach Dwane Pugh.
Late in the first half, senior Ryan Jenkins slid the ball across the goal to the feet of senior Austin Horner who blasted it into the goal. The Flucos, stunned by this resilient Hornet squad, went into the half down 2-1.
The Hornets continued to battle in the second half with the boys playing their best game of the year. The defense held tough as the Flucos began to get frustrated after being turned away time and time again.
With Fluvanna pressing so much, it left an opening for the Hornets, and Horner scored another goal, assisted again by Jenkins.
With the score 3-1, the Hornets could drop back more and crowd the defense with more men. The strategy worked and with the pesky Hornets flying all over the field winning balls and stopping Fluco attackers, Orange played well enough to win.
Orange will play at home at Prospect Friday May, 20 in the quarterfinals of the Jefferson District tournament against Charlottesville.