Goal in stoppage times lifts Mechanicsville to win over New Kent

New Kent Senior Ellie Hobson connects with a header to send the ball to a teammate.

Robb Johnson photo

Sometimes the waves of excitement can lift a team to be successful. And sometimes it can come crashing down. And unfortunately for New Kent’s Lady Trojans’ soccer team, those waves washed away in the second half of an Apr. 27 match against the visiting Mechanicsville Lady Mustangs.

Two second half goals by Mechanicsville’s Mackenzie Jolie helped the visitors overcome their early deficit as Mechanicsville topped New Kent 3-2, sending the hosts to their fourth consecutive loss.

New Kent started well on defense, forcing Mechanicsville to readjust early. But by the time they had made the changes, Lady Trojan Kiersten Otey had found the back of the net for a score at the 30:10 mark for a 1-0 lead for the hosts.

Both teams continued to trade jabs before Mechanicsville would score during stoppage time as Bailey Altizer tied the game up at one apiece. But before the extra minutes in the opening half could run off the clock, Otey scored goal number two for the hosting Lady Trojans, providing a 2-1 advantage as halftime intermission began.

In the second half, both teams played tough on the field. However, it was Joly’s punt into the net that tied the game up at two. Both teams would continue to battle as they entered into stoppage time once again.

Mechanicsville took advantage of a gassed Lady Trojans’ defense. Joly was able to dribble down the field as a mental lapse by New Kent opened up a straight path for the Lady Mustang. Joly scored before the expiration of the extra time, allowing the visitors to capture the win.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojan Head Coach Steve Grech commented that his team could have played better.

“We missed for our five opportunities in the first half,” he commented. “It’s a funny game; if the ball goes in, it goes in. If it doesn’t go in, it doesn’t.

“The last five minutes, I thought their players were offsides,” Grech added, pointing to potential calls that were not made. “There were a lot of fouls, but they were a really tough team, so what are you going to do?”

New Kent’s Lady Trojans record falls to 4-4.