Pride stops Hornets’ title shot

FISHERSVILLE – They were not going to allow the Wilson Memorial boys soccer team to clinch the Shenandoah District.
At least, not on the Gladiators’ watch.
Riverheads (11-3, 2-2 Shenandoah) went toe-to-toe on the pitch Friday night, scoring a 3-1 win over Wilson. The sounds from the Riverheads’ bench sounded as if the Pride had won the district, even if the Green Hornets are only a win or tie away.
For Riverheads, the win was just as good as being crowned champions.
In a sea of crimson jerseys stood Riverheads coach Dickie Bell. He had to raise his voice above the screams from his players that walked across the pitch.
“We knew coming in here that we did not want to be the team that they would beat tonight,” he said.
Riverheads made sure that didn’t happen in front of the Green Hornet fans and jumped on the board early.
Gladiator senior Chris Key and Tate Burkholder scored back-to-back goals in the first half for all the offense the Pride would need.
Wilson could not string more than one goal, but they are still the team to beat, Bell said.
“Wilson is a very tough team and we knew it was going to be a fight,” Bell said. “We knew that they could clinch the district tonight and we were determined not to let that happen.”
Quinton Knott’s second-half marker gave Riverheads insurance.
The Green Hornets will try to clinch again Tuesday when they head to Swoope to take Buffalo Gap. A tie or a win wraps it up for them.
But, for one night, Bell said he was happy to delay the inevitable.
“We threw everything we had at them tonight,” he said.