Overtime winner lifts Black Knights

It’s every soccer player’s dream: the game-winning goal in extra time. On Tuesday night, Charlottesville’s Henry Von Storch played the role of hero, netting a breathtaking goal from 23 yards out to topple top-seeded Fluvanna County 2-1 in overtime and send the Black Knights to the Jefferson District final.

“I just took a touch inside,” Von Storch said. “From the moment I hit it, I knew it was going in.”

Von Storch cut inside and, with a perfect balance of power and placement, drilled one in to the far corner, leaving Fluvanna (11-5) stunned.

“That’s a dream goal,” said Charlottesville coach Stephen Cost. “You see him cut back like that — you know he is going for goal.”

Von Storch scored both goals on the night to send the Black Knights through to the final in a game that could have gone the other way.

A controversial play took place in the first half when Fluvanna appeared to score on a ball that bounced off the top bar, hit the goal line and touched the netting as it came up. The goal was disallowed, and the margin ultimately allowed CHS to squeeze through to the next round.

Charlottesville (6-6-2) was the first team on the board after Von Storch drilled a penalty kick to the right side of the goal 15 minutes in. Fluvanna would tie it up seven minutes later when Tygh Allbaugh’s blistering shot was saved and Thomas Hutchison tapped it in from a few yards out.

Sloppy, physical play from that point forward kept the game from getting into a rhythm and prevented both teams from creating scoring opportunities.

In the second half, Fluvanna County had a few chances at the back post

inside the six-yard box. The Flying Flucos couldn’t manage to get another one by CHS goalkeeper Henry Marsh.

As the teams entered extra time, no clear chances were to be found in the opening five-minute period. But during the second, Von Storch secured the victory with his goal.

“Both teams were working hard and we prevailed,” said Cost.

Charlottesville, the power of the JD for years, is back in the final yet again. The Black Knights will face Orange County on Thursday.

After such a positive victory, Von Storch isn’t losing focus on what’s ahead.

“It’s just one game. We’ve got another one. We’ve got another one to get into regionals,” he said.