2022.04.25 Boys Soccer: Riverside @ Briar Woods

Brambleton, VA (April 25, 2022) - With regular season district play just beginning, it's hard to say that a game has playoff importance. But the Riverside Rams and the Briar Woods Falcons had finished the non-district portion of the season well ahead of everyone else, so this early matchup set up to be a real indicator of where the two teams stood. The Falcons were leading the pack with a sterling 6-0-1 record, but the Rams weren't far behind at 6-2-0.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

For the first twenty minutes of the match, Riverside held the possession advantage and had two or three good chances before Briar Woods got their first. But the Falcons put their height advantage to good use as Anthony Pate headed home a corner kick to give the home team a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.

In the 29th minute, Briar Woods' leading scorer Angel Garcia won a 1-1 contest with Rams' keeper Cameron Ferrell to double the margin, and it looked like the half would end that way. But Ryan Theiss got behind the Rams defense, and beat Ferrell with a back-breaking late goal to make it 3-0 at the break.

Almost as soon as play resumed, Theiss scored again and it appeared that the rout was on. But in the 46th minute, Rams' midfielder Jack Voci, made a huge steal that ignited the Riverside attack and led to a goal by Carlos Lozano. Now down 4-1, the visitors suddenly had life, playing their best soccer of the night for the next ten minutes.

But that relatively brief bit of inspired play--with a second Riverside goal from Ethen Kushner--was neatly wrapped in three more markers for Briar Woods--including a second goal from Garcia, and one each from Colin Anderson and Jake Hardy--to complete a dominant victory for the home team.

These two teams will likely meet again. While the margin was significant, the match was very competitive overall. If the Rams can tighten up their defense they may have a better chance, but if the Falcons offense stays this hot they will be tough to beat--by anyone.

Final Score: Briar Woods 7 - Riverside 2