BOX SCORE

Doug Ripley – June 2, 2009

NORFOLK – Jon Harris ‘stood on his head’ for the Cox Falcons Tuesday night at Powhatan Field.

Cox’s Clydesdale goalkeeper came up with five saves, many of which were anything but easy, to pick up his third consecutive clean sheet to help his Falcons advance to the VHSL Group AAA Semifinals by defeating Gar-Field 1-0.

In defeating the Indians, the Falcons (19-2-1) tied a team record of most wins in a season, set by Jim Snodgrass’ 1993 side that went 19-2-0.

Setting the program record for wins won’t come easy for Cox as they next draw the tournament hosts from Westfield Friday at 8pm on the Bulldogs’ home turf.  There, the Falcons will attempt to advance to the State Championship match for the first time since 1997.

The Bulldogs, runners-up from the powerhouse Northern Region who plays a 16-team tournament to determine qualification for states, got a goal in the fourth overtime to advance past Central Region champion Cosby 1-0 in what was probably a raucous environment southwest of Richmond.

Cox and Gar-Field (11-3-5) competed in a virtual “tug of war” with multiple and sometimes-sudden changes in momentum and runs from both sides.

Gar-Field, utilizing a brilliant offside trap, caused the flag to rise against the Falcon attack eight times.  On the offensive end for the Indians, striker Luis Cartegena, defender Jose Ordonez and company made it a living nightmare for Harris and Cox defense.

The Falcons somehow managed to not only keep the Indians off the board, but shake off some errors of their own, most notably, a 37th minute penalty from Eric Bird that he blocked to the right of the frame.

Cox would get the lead and curb the attacking momentum of Gar-Field in the 66th minute.  After quickly reclaiming possession on a restart, Will Martin played a high curving right footed ball up to David Ellis. 

The Cox freshman had only goalkeeper Sean Libby to beat, and he did just that by rolling his last touch barely inside the left post.

Libby, who came into the match during the 11th minute in place of starting keeper Brad Powers who spent much of the opening minutes stretching during stoppages in play, performed well in goal for the Indians with five saves.  Both sides finished the match with 17 shots apiece.