Knights hold off Flucos

Maybe Charlottesville’s girls soccer team should play on its practice field more often.

Playing on the field for the first time this season, the Black Knights notched their biggest win of the year against a talented and Jefferson District-leading Fluvanna County team.

Charlottesville broke open a tie game late with a goal from Ellie Von Storch off a perfectly placed pass from Maria Szakos to secure the 3-2 win and hand the Flying Flucos their first loss this spring.

“Today we were the better team — we dominated most of the game. They were well-organized and disciplined which is very important for me in soccer,” Charlottesville coach Fernando Opere said. “It is difficult to find good fields and this is a really nice soccer field, so that helps.

“It was a fantastic game [between] two well-prepared teams with plenty of talent. Fluvanna, I’m so happy for them because they have an extraordinary program.”

Meghan Seelye and Sunny Herold had a goal apiece to give Fluvanna a 2-1 halftime lead.

The pair, who is headed to the University of Mary Washington to play soccer next year, hold multiple school records. Seelye has the record for assists and is eyeing a state record, while Herold, who has scored in 10 straight games, secured her 87th career goal against CHS.

The Black Knights (6-1, 5-1 JD) clamped down on the defensive end in the second half, preventing the Flucos from getting many good looks.

Monica Matsumoto got Charlottesville on the scoreboard before Julia Bray’s second-half goal tied the game. The evenly-matched teams battled back and forth until Von Storch’s goal put the home team on top for good.

Fluvanna coach Tara Garcia knows her team, can bounce back and gain something from the loss.

“It’s a disappointment — we came into this 9-0, but that doesn’t change our thoughts. The season’s not [over] and we’re excited about that,” Garcia said. “With every game, you take something from it. [The loss is] not necessarily a good thing, but they got a taste of it, and they don’t want to lose again. The girls wanted to go 16-0, but we get to see them again and we’re looking forward to it.”

Fluvanna (9-1, 6-1) has six regular season games left, including a full slate this week. The Flucos play host to Orange County today and Western Albemarle on Thursday.

According to Garcia, if Fluvanna wins the rest of its games, it can capture the district crown.