Trojans fade after first half, fall to Grafton

New Kent's Nate Cook uses his head to advance the ball upfield against Grafton.

Alan Chamberlain photo

After a spirited first half in which the Trojans held Grafton to three goals, the New Kent boys soccer team ran out of steam and fell Thursday night to the visiting Clippers 8-0.

“We’ve been a first half team but lose our momentum in the second half,” Trojan coach Clinton Leckie noted, adding, “but 3-0 at the half isn’t bad against this team.”

While Grafton earned a quick goal within the first minute, New Kent junior Nate Cook nearly tied the game on a corner kick by Joey Clark only a minute later, missing high and wide.

Cook commented on his play, saying, “I just try to have confidence and be determined to be the first guy to the ball,” and adding that “[the game] is all mental.”

“Nate hustles all the time,” said Leckie concerning his junior striker. “He gives it 110 percent.”

After forcing the Clippers to shoot long distance shots in the first half, Grafton scored early and often in the first 10 minutes of the second half, adding a quick four goals to up the score to 7-0.

Staying mentally tough, Cook dribbled the ball the length of the field with 20 minutes left in the game, centering the ball to sophomore Darren McCaughan. McCaughan’s shot was blocked by a Grafton defender, narrowly missing an opportunity to avoid the league’s slaughter rule.

Around the 15-minute mark in the second half, the Clippers scored their eighth goal, promptly ending the game. Trojan goaltender Richard Flournoy saved 11 shots in the contest off of Grafton’s 29 shots on goal.

After the tough loss to Grafton, New Kent comes away with a 1-10 record with three games left to play.