Fluvanna builds up steam, shuts out Monticello

It’s good to be Fluvanna girls soccer coach Tara Garcia these days. She has the luxury of having a team loaded with talent and only one ball for them to share.
But that’s hardly a problem. Coming into Monday night’s match up with Monticello, the Flucos had outscored their opponents 45 to 2.
After a lengthy battle with the Mustangs defense in the first half, Fluvanna imposed its will in the second half to go on to win 4-0.
“Before the game I told the girls that if things weren’t working to double their work rate,” Garcia said. “It took them a little while, but they figured it out.”
Tyler Drake scored the first two goals for the Flucos, both of which were assisted by Sunny Herold.
“It took us a while to get going but once we go, it’s on from there,” Drake said.
Herold — Fluvanna’s all-time leading scorer and Mary Washington bound forward — scored her 80th career goal 10 minutes into the second half.
Two minutes later sophomore Melissa Messier tacked on the fourth and final goal and the Flucos (7-0, 5-0 JD) was able to cruise after that.
Megan Seelye, who will also play for Mary Washington in the fall, gave the Mustangs fits in the midfield. The Flucos all-time assist leader consistently won the battles for 50-50 balls and was able to feed Herold and Drake on a regular basis.
Coming off a big win against Western Albemarle, the Mustangs (2-1-2, 2-0) looked like they were going to give Fluvanna a primetime fight, but were unable to find answers on defense after the break.
“In the first half I thought things were really even,” said MHS coach Jessie Wright. “In the second half I felt like we just stopped playing.”
The Flucos outshot the Mustangs 16-4. Monticello goalkeeper Aileen Beringer had a solid day in net despite the result. The junior had two saves where she managed to tip what looked like sure goals and finished with six stops.