Tabb needs overtime goal to defeat New Kent Lady Trojans in soccer

New Kent goalie Emily Ward (right) slides in to deflect a shot attempt by Tabb’s Abbie McGinn.

Robb Johnson photo

Battles on the pitch in the Bay Rivers District often carry intensity and drama that often sees someone step up to make that different. For New Kent’s Lady Trojans, they wished their story Tuesday night had a different inning.

A goal by Tabb’s Molly Heely in overtime helped the visiting Lady Tigers escape New Kent with a 3-2 soccer victory.

In the opening half, each team’s defense rose to the occasion, exchanging strategies of pressure to keep the ball out of the possession of their rival. But with 16:52 remaining in the half, New Kent’s Kaitlyn Drake found the back of the net to provide the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

But that advantage was short-lived as five minutes later, Tabb scored to tie the contest up. At the 3:16 mark, Lady Tiger Janie Qing used a header to break that tie and provide the visitors a 2-1 advantage heading into the intermission break.

New Kent came out of halftime and pushed the ball up the field. Michelle Drake found a lane and connected with a goal just over 10 minutes into the second half, knotting the score at two apiece. From there, the game remained in a stalemate, and even after stoppage time, neither team could take the lead.

In overtime, Tabb shifted to a strategy of overloading the offensive side of the field. The ploy work, leading to Heely’s dramatic goal and closing the game out and sending New Kent to the loss column.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans Head Coach Steve Grech spoke about the final score of the contest.

“The goal they scored was a slip out and their girl tapped it in,” he commented. “I am happy with the way we played and we played just as well as them.

“Both teams had chances to score, and it was an even game,” Grech continued. “Unfortunately, that last goal went in. and you can’t do anything about it.”

New Kent falls to 3-2 on the season.