Tabb dominates from start to finish; ends New Kent’s boys’ soccer season

New Kent’s Adam Caldwell (6) races to beat Tabb’s Karter Jones to the ball during a key possession of the game.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s boys’ soccer team made strides in 2019, improving along the way and beating tougher competition, such as Tabb’s Tigers earlier in the season. But on a muggy Friday evening, the visiting Tigers got the victory where they needed it the most; in the playoffs.

A ferocious attack from start to finish by the visitors factored into Tabb’s 3-1 victory over the hosting Trojans, thus ending the season for New Kent.

Less than two minutes into the game, Tabb changed the scoreboard as Eddie Fiocca’s high kick beat New Kent goalie Logan Deters to give the visitors a very early advantage. Tabb punched another goal as Zachary Brown’s free kick set up Brandon Kaminer’s header to provide the visitors a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime intermission.

After a third goal found the back of the net for Tabb, New Kent finally removed the goose egg from their side of the scoreboard as Matteo Mecangeli’s score cut the deficit back to two (3-1). But the time remaining in the game did not provide the homestanding Trojans room to add any additional points as Tabb earned the state playoff berth with the win.

After the contest, New Kent head coach Derek Yates discussed the departure of eight seniors and the future of his team.

“I think the most important thing that we can take form this season is that we made a statement to the Bay Rivers,” the coach said as he mentioned how his team exceeded expectations. “We’re not just New Kent anymore; we are contenders in all of these games and I think that this year was an important year to start building this program back up.”