Trevor Miller’s goal with 17 minutes remaining was the game-winner as Smithfield beat Jefferson Forest 2-1 Wednesday to capture the Virginia High School League Class 4 boys soccer state title.
Miller scored off a rebound of his own header that started with a Packers’ free kick. The Packers then withstood waves of Jefferson Forest attacks as Carter Kelly and Josh Condit starred for the defense.
“We did what we’ve done all year, which is play good defense,” said Packers’ coach Jason Henderson, whose team finished 15-0 and was never behind all season.
The Packers opened the scoring in the first half on a goal by Braden Ross, courtesy of Liam Moore’s cross about 25 minutes in. Jefferson Forest tied the game at 1-1 before halftime on goal started by a corner kick.
“I coached these seniors as 10- and 11-year-olds, so I knew they were special,” Henderson said. “With the underclassman we had, I knew we had a chance at the title.”
Miller, a senior who will play next year at Lynchburg College, said, “Scoring the game-winning goal is one that I’ll never forget. It’s one that I’ll look back on all my life.”
“I’ll look back on it ‘til the day that I die.”
The Packers won before packed home stands, giving the school its second state title. The boys basketball team’s Class 4 state title in February was Smithfield’s only state crown to that point.
“The bleachers have never been that full before. It’s an amazing feeling to have a crowd like that in such a small environment like Smithfield.”
Baseball
Poquoson 8, Page County 3
Gabe Ford and Chase Horton drove in a run apiece as the Islanders exploded for a five-run 5th inning to break the game open in a Class 2 state semifinal win over Page County.
Entering the inning, the teams were tied at 3, but back-to-back errors gave Poquoson a chance to put a pair of runners on base, and the Islanders seized the opportunity to take the lead.
The Islanders will face Lebanon in Saturday’s state championship.
Independence 4, Lafayette 1
Luke Hanson struck out 10 but it wasn’t enough as the Rams fell to Independence in the Class 3 state semifinals.
South McDowell led Lafayette at the plate, going 2 for 3.
Trailing 3-0 in the top of the 6th, the Rams were able to get on the board as Price Whitaker scored a run, but the comeback effort stalled.
Softball
New Kent 7, Skyline 0
Gracie Ellis struck out 14 in a one-hitter, shutting out Skyline to lead New Kent to a Class 3 state semifinal win.
McKenna Mueller led the way on offense for the Trojans, going 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored while Morgan Mills contributed a two-run triple.
New Kent will host Rustburg in the state championship at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Grafton pitcher Mya Moore Grafton throws during the first inning against Hanover at the Virginia High School League Class 4 Semifinal in Yorktown, Va on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.Grafton fell to Hanover, 4-0.
Grafton pitcher Mya Moore Grafton throws during the first inning against Hanover at the Virginia High School League Class 4 Semifinal in Yorktown, Va on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.Grafton fell to Hanover, 4-0.
Hanover 4, Grafton 0
The Hawks took an early lead in a shutout win over Grafton in a Class 4 state semifinal.
Hanover, which came into the matchup undefeated at 14-0, scored a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd and never gave up the lead.
Julia Cuozzo earned the win in the circle for Hanover while the Clippers finished their season with a 13-2 record.
Girls soccer
Dominion 3, Menchville 0
The Monarchs fell to Dominion in the Class 4 state championship.
Heading into the state final matchup, Menchville (13-1-1) was undefeated but struggled to get going on offense against the Titans, which took an early lead as Julienne Galie found the back of the net to put the Titans on the board in the third minute
Galie finished with two goals and Paige Greenfield also scored for Dominion, which led 1-0 at halftime.
