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[Jeff Cunningham]

Patriots take Eastern Region girls soccer title
By Jeff Cunningham | jcunningham@hrvarsity.com

NORFOLK -- Cox and First Colonial are both headed to next week's Group AAA girls soccer state tournament.

They just couldn't decide which team would host and which would travel.

The Patriots needed two overtime periods to beat Cox 1-0 Friday at Powhatan Field. Lizzy Callahan found the net in the 84th minute after she took the long feed from Meaghan Dullea.

But prior to that score, nobody could find the net. Well, everyone could find it, but the ball just wouldn't go in. The second half was one of offensive pressure resulting in little more than impressive goalkeeper saves and frustrated players.

"It was frustrating, no doubt," Callahan said. "Mostly in the sense that we spent so much time in (Cox's) defensive half and we kept coming up empty.

"It's hard to go in there, get off a shot and wind up with nothing."

Callahan had a good look at a goal in the 72nd minute, shooting from nearly point-blank range. But Cox goalkeeper Kristin Carden, who had six saves, stopped the ball, only to watch Brittney Beaty's attempt on the rebound scoot wide right of the net.

"It was a hard battle out there between two very good teams," Cox coach Michele Clark said. "We're both going to the same place (states), and this was just a good old-fashioned soccer battle.

"We've got a nice little rivalry going here with (First Colonial)."

First Colonial coach Joe Tucei called it "a good soccer match to watch," seeming to avoid the frustration many of the players were exhibiting over the lost offensive opportunities. The Patriots (20-1-1) outshot Cox (16-5-1) 15-13, but many of those either wound up in the goalkeepers' hands, off the crossbar or wide of the net.

The Falcons' best chance to score came in the 63rd minute, when Kelly Morrison tried from the right side. Patriots goalkeeper Katherine Sautter stopped the ball, then scooped up Beth McCabe's attempt on the rebound.

Morrison tried again to score with 10 seconds left in regulation, but the ball sailed high and hit the crossbar.

Both teams will advance to the state tournament, which starts Tuesday. First Colonial, by winning this match, will host the Central Region tournament runner-up in the quarterfinals, while Cox will have to travel to the site of the Central Region runner-up.

"It's a huge relief," callahan said of not having to travel. "It'll be nice to stay home and have the support of our school and our fans behind us."



EASTERN REGION GIRLS SOCCER FINAL at Powhatan Field
First Colonial 1, Cox 0, 2OT
Halftime-- 0-0. Goals-- First Colonial, Callahan. Assists-- First Colonial, Dullea. Shots-- First Colonial 15, Cox 13. Saves-- First Colonial, Sautter 6. Cox, Carden 6. Records-- First Colonial 20-1-1, Cox 16-5-1.