Contact: Jenni Brockman Playing on perhaps the coldest day of this winter in Tappahannock, St. Margaret’s varsity soccer team (2 – 1 – 2) struggled offensively against a gritty Virginia Episcopal School squad on Friday, January 15th. The Scotties fell behind early, 0-1, as the offense seemed literally frozen and unable to break free of a stingy Bishop defensive attack. The players covered themselves head to toe in winter clothing – wool hats, tights, gloves and turtlenecks – to protect themselves against the bitter cold. "We’re only down one goal, nothing insurmountable here," said head coach Clarissa Roberts at halftime. She told her players to continue to work hard. "I know we can do it. Fight for every fifty-fifty ball." The second half quickly developed into a tense struggle, as both clubs fought aggressively to gain the advantage. Soon after entering the game as a substitute, left wing forward, Tae Washino, of Tokyo, Japan, crossed the ball to teammate, Tonia Arsala, playing the opposite field. Perfectly positioned, Arsala kicked the ball through the VES defenders to pull St. Margaret’s even at 1-1. Recharged and ready, St. Margaret’s began to thaw offensively. Controlling the game at both ends of the field - firing shots, hustling for loose balls and making brilliant defensive stops and aggressive cuts to the goal - the Scotties appeared invincible and seemed poised to win the game. But VES had something else in mind. With two minutes remaining, Bishop scored a late goal to erase any chance of a comeback for the Scotties. Bishop then held on for a hard-earned 2-1 win. "This was a difficult game, but it was good experience for us to play under these conditions," said Roberts. "We still need to come together a little more as a team. It will take another game or two for us to hit our stride, but I believe we are on the right track." After Friday’s match, the Scotties played Foxcroft Tuesday (results unavailable for press) and have two upcoming road games against Steward (1/20) and Saint Anne’s-Belfield (1/27).
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-3357 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scotties Unable to Thaw Out
St. Margaret’s School junior forward, Carol Combs, awaits a corner kick from teammate Kelly Proctor in the second half of Friday's game against VES.
St. Margaret’s School sophomore Tonia Arsala scored her team’s only goal Friday, as SMS lost to VES, 1-2, in varsity soccer. Arsala (shown here) ran cross country this fall and competed in the state’s largest high school meet, the William & Mary High School Cross Country Invitational in Williamsburg.
