by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
In Central Region girls soccer, the Central District is seen as weaker than the Capital, Colonial and Dominion Districts, even with Thomas Dale posting gaudy records each year.
The Knights hadn’t been able to make its unprecedented district domination into region success, until the past two years.
Dale advance to the Central Region semifinals last year, and will make a return trip in 2010 after dropping Midlothian 2-1 Wednesday afternoon in what coach John Kabler called “a huge win for the program.”
The Knights will face Deep Run, a 6-0 winner over Lee-Davis, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Atlee for a berth into the region final and a state Group AAA spot.
Midlo led 1-0 after 30 minutes of play Tuesday on a goal by Gabby Urcia.
But the rest of the suspended game was all Thomas Dale and namely Sarah Schrader.
The sophomore scored in the resumed first half on a header off a feed from Hannah Robbins, and struck again just five minutes into the second half, knifing the Trojan defense as Dale pulled the upset.
“I just knew I could dribble through them because I play with a lot of them in travel,” Schrader said. “I just tapped it to the right, hoping it would go in, and it did.”
Midlothian didn’t give up, having several opportunities left in the waning minutes.
Free kicks went wide by Richmond-bound Erin Layne.
Two corner kicks were placed in front of the goal to no avail as Dale’s defense and keeper Chrissy Dowlen (eight saves) came up large.
Midlothian 1 0 – 1
Thomas Dale 1 1 – 2
M: Urcia
TD: Schrader 2
Saves: Hancock (M) 3; Dowlen (TD) 8
Records: Midlothian (11-4-2); Thomas Dale (16-1)
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