Woes continue for New Kent Trojans’ soccer, drop sixth straight contest

By Robb Johnson | April 30, 2025 11:28 pm

New Kent’s Toby Hybiak (left) and Grafton’s Elliott Heretick (right) get entangled while battling for the ball.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s Trojans boys’ soccer team is continuing to figure out how to manifest positives as they looked to snap a five-game losing streak on Apr. 29 against the visiting Grafton Clippers. Unfortunately for the hosts, their side of the scoreboard looked the same at the end of the game as it did at the beginning of the contest.

Grafton compiled a 4-0 shutout over New Kent, sending the Trojans to their sixth consecutive loss and continue to search for answers on how to snap the scoreless skid which now stretches to two-and-a-half games.

Grafton wasted little time scoring in the first half, as Landon Castro ripped a ball through the defense for his first score of the night. Twelve minutes later at the 25:51 mark, his second goal put the visitors up 2-0, rocking the Trojans on their back.

New Kent’s first real shot on goal came four minutes, as Will Dickerson’s launch barely missed the net. A toss-in to Will Sutherland for a possible header also was thwarted by Grafton. The Clippers took that score into the halftime break.

The Trojans held up well for the next 25 minutes, continuing to get better during the game. However, a key error resulting in the Trojans scoring on their own goal, providing an additional score for Grafton and the hosts deficit now at three. One more additional goal by the Clippers sealed the deal as New Kent fell to 2-7-2.

After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Derek Yates continued to speak about focusing on the positives.

“We can’t find the back of the net,” he commented. “We scored earlier in the year, and we did not have our starting goalie tonight.

“My message is that we have to keep fighting, no matter the board says,” Yates continued. “We have lost to some good teams and the scores don’t reflect how we have been playing. With only a 15-man roster, we will continue to push on for the rest of the season.”