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Orange's Ian Lockhart (17) dribbles upfield as Louisa's Louisa's Ismael Alvarenga (top) jumps over a sliding tackle by Orange's Rick Mittler during last night's game. |
BY JIM McCONNELL
As he watched a free kick from teammate Elliott Gillan float into the Louisa penalty area last night, Rick Mittler quickly considered his options.
Mittler knew if he chased the ball all the way to its apparent destination, he risked a collision with sturdy Louisa goalkeeper Raymond Brooks, the right goal post or both.
But instead of shying away, Mittler went for it. His effort paid off when he deflected the ball just inside the post for the lone goal in Orange's critical 1-0 Jefferson District road victory last night.
"You just have to brace yourself and hope you can get it in before you hit the post," Mittler said with a smile after the victory, which kept the Hornets alive for the district's regular-season championship and an automatic berth in the Region II tournament.
Orange (11-2-1 overall, 8-1-1 district) trails Charlottesville by a game in the Jefferson standings, but can force a tie by winning its final two regular-season contests: Monday vs. William Monroe, then Thursday's finale at home against Charlottesville.
"We're trying to focus on the game at hand," Mittler added. "We know if we lose one more game, that will put us out."
Orange needed a strong effort last night against Louisa (5-7-2, 3-6-1), a squad that has often played better than its record this season.
"We've had an up-and-down season," Louisa coach Joel Abe said. "We've shown the ability to play with the best teams in our district, but we've also lost some games we had an opportunity to win."
The Lions, who accounted for the only blemish on Charlottesville's district record when they tied the Black Knights 2-2, came within inches of playing the spoiler against Orange.
After Mittler scored with 33 minutes left in the second half, Louisa had a golden chance to net the equalizer.
Logan Horne's long free kick somehow slipped through to teammate Robert Green in the middle of the Orange penalty area. Green shook free from a defender and fired a quick, low shot, but Orange keeper Joe Morrison made a sprawling save to preserve the Hornets' lead.
"He usually makes at least a couple of those every game," Orange coach Mike Howes said.
The speedy Green got loose again a couple minutes later. But after dribbling around all-district defender Gillan, Green's shot soared harmlessly wide of the left post.
Orange's defense and midfield did the rest, limiting Louisa's offensive opportunities by possessing the ball and making the Lions spend most of the game in their defensive end.
"They work the ball around beautifully," Abe said. "We tried to get behind them with our speed, but we weren't able to gain possession as much as I would've liked."
Still, it was much more competitive than the teams' first meeting--a 4-1 Orange rout--and Howes left the field feeling relieved that his Hornets were able to escape with the victory.
"Anytime you can beat Louisa here, it's a good win," he said. "They're a scrappy team. When you only put one goal on the board, anything can happen."
Jim McConnell: 540/374-5444| ORANGE 1 LOUISA 0 |
