Robinson girls, boys advance to state finals
By Dave Buschenfeldt
The Robinson girls and boys soccer teams each earned a berth in Saturday's Virginia AAA state finals with one-goal victories Friday. The Robinson girls overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Woodbridge, 3-2, while the boys got a goal from sophomore Alex Makcumbi in the 66th minute to defeat perennial power Thomas Dale, 1-0.
In the second girls state semifinal of the day, Robinson took an early lead when sophomore Jensen Smith collected a loose ball in the Woodbridge box and blasted it into the net. The Vikings quickly tied the score on a goal five minutes later and shockingly took a 2-1 lead into halftime after getting a goal off a one-timer from the top of the box with just two seconds on the clock.
The Rams' deficit did not last long, however, as senior Kristen Smith headed home a Jensen Smith corner kick just 49 seconds into the second half. Junior Annie Hovland netted what proved to be the game-winner on a 25-yard free kick that found the back of the net untouched.
“We got really fired up at halftime,” Hovland said. “We realized how important this game is. In the second half, we tried to wear them down and play possession.”
Robinson will face Battlefield, an upset winner over defending state runner-up Cox, in the Virginia AAA state final Saturday at 1 p.m. Coach Jim Rike will be aiming for his fifth state title with the Rams.
“Any time you can win a state tournament, it's sweet,'” Rike said. “Only one team a year wins the state championship. To win a fifth one would be special.”
The Robinson boys had their share of games this year when they had a difficult time finding the net, and Friday appeared to be one of those days. Though they controlled possession for much of the game, the Rams had very few scoring chances. Their defense held Thomas Dale scoreless as well, however, and when Makcumbi received a pass from teammate Andrew Teran in the box and beat the Thomas Dale keeper, it was the only goal they would need.
“It's the best feeling ever,” said Makcumbi, who also netted the game-winner in Robinson's quarterfinal win over Cox. “I think this is one of the best game's I've ever played.”
The Rams will face Deep Run in Saturday's state final, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
“You only come to this event every so often,” said coach Jac Cicala, who won four state titles with Lake Braddock. “I told the boys to appreciate it because it's not something that's easily repeated.”