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Orange rewarded with Group AA bid

Boys soccer: Brentsville at Orange

Date published: 5/31/2007

BY ADAM HIMMELSBACH

As far as the teenagers were concerned, the reward was better than a trophy or a medal.

The Orange boys soccer team had just defeated Brentsville, 4-2, in a Region II semifinal. The win clinched the program's first Group AA state tournament berth since 2001.

The Hornets were happy and sweaty and hungry. Boy, were they hungry.

So when a woman toted a large box of hot dogs that had gone unsold at the concession stand, it was a sight for sore eyes, and legs, for that matter.

The players pawed through the hot dogs. Their coach stood near midfield and soaked in the scene.

"These boys," coach Mike Howes said, "have an awesome opportunity."

Tomorrow night, the Hornets will visit Potomac Falls for the Region II championship.

Regardless of the outcome, both teams will play in a state quarterfinal next week.

"If we were going to do anything," Hornets co-captain Elliott Gillan said, "we knew this would be the year."

Most of them have played soccer together since they were 5.

They started in Orange County recreational leagues. Many moved on to more competitive divisions in the Charlottesville area.

Three years ago, the Hornets won the Jefferson District's JV championship, and that is when they sensed something special might be on the way.

This season, there were 10 returning varsity starters.

"It's the deepest team I've ever had at Orange County," Howes said.

And he later added it is also the fastest.

The Hornets routinely frustrate opponents with their team speed, and last night it was more of the same.

They frequently beat the Tigers to the ball, and their quick decisions proved prosperous.

Still, Brentsville struck first, getting a diving header in the 12th minute from Christopher McClaugherty.

In the 33rd minute, Gillan lined up for a free kick a few yards outside the penalty box.

Brentsville set up an eight-man wall that appeared to take away any easy scoring opportunity.

But Gillan noticed the players weaving and swaying as they lined up.

He figured his best chance was to shoot right through them, and that is what he did.

It was kind of like throwing a marble through a Swiss-cheese hole from 10 yards away, but it worked. The shot found space and also found the net.

"I wasn't sure where the gap would be," Gillan said, "but I knew there would be one."

One minute later, Gillan lined up for a restart just inside midfield.

His arching offering came down near the left post, and Rick Mittler was there to head it in.

"I kind of got loose on the outside on that one," Mittler said.

The left-footed Mittler was playing through a sore left hamstring. So he used his right foot to set up the Hornets' third goal as well as to score their fourth.

BRENTSVILLE 2 ORANGE 4

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Date published: 5/31/2007