Warhill scores pair of goals in overtime to send Trojans to heartbreaking loss

New Kent’s Logan Rooks (5) and Christian Pieper (right) form a defensive wall around Warhill’s Hayden Bright (10) to prevent any shot attempt.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s boys’ soccer team has been playing better than their one-win record has in recent contests. Friday night’s soccer match-up against the visiting Warhill Lions, the Trojans showed how dangerous they could be on the pitch at any time.

Unfortunately, two goals in overtime by Warhill proved to be the ultimate undoing as New Kent dropped a heartbreaker to the visiting Lions 5-4.

The Trojans struck quickly in the contest as Connor Bailey’s goal came just under six minutes into the game. After Warhill tied the game up at one apiece, Bailey struck again, striking from long-distance and putting the hosts up 2-1.

The positive momentum continued for the hosts as New Kent goalkeeper Lucas Bassetti kept the Lions from scoring. Meanwhile, Trojan teammate Troy Amos scored for the hosts, providing them their third goal before halftime. Warhill was able to score one more time before the intermission break, but the Trojans held the lead 3-2.

In the second half, Warhill scored with 27 minutes in play to tie the game (3-3). For the remainder of the half, neither team could add to their point total, resulting in an extra period of play.

After Bassetti’s great save with 2:30 in the first stanza of overtime, New Kent’s David Whatley would score just under the two-minute mark, returning the lead to the hosts (4-3). After an exchange of goals to start the second half, Warhill made a charge, with the first goal coming less than a minute after switching nets. On the next possession, the Lions’ aggressiveness pushed the home team on their heels, resulting in another score for the visitors. Time would expire on the Trojans as they fell in the waning moments of the contest.

After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Derek Yates could only praise his team’s play after the tough loss.

“I usually have a man of the match, but this was a team of the match,” he said. “With the effort and the growth over the last few weeks, their attitudes and efforts are better, and I could not have asked more from my team tonight.”

New Kent falls to 1-12 on the season.