Sports
Thomas Dale Finishes in State Top Four
By Brian L. Zimmerman
Jun 11, 2008 - 3:41:20 PM

Thomas Dale junior midfielder Will Bates (#25) races towards the goal early in the first half of the Knights state semifinals match.

The Thomas Dale boys soccer team fell just a game short of going all the way to the state finals this year, but still finished a remarkable season as one of the top four teams in the state.  After winning their quarterfinals match in the state tournament by a score of 2-1 against Osbourn on their home field last Tuesday, the Knights fell to James W. Robinson High School in Friday’s tough semifinal match played at Westfield High in Chantilly, Va. 

It looked like anybody’s game, with both teams essentially equal in their stats and a 0-0 score at halftime.  In the second half, it appeared to be more of a test of stamina on a hot and humid day and the heat appeared to be taking its toll on the Knights.  The Rams found the opening first in the Knights’ defense with a hard shot into the net with only 15 minutes left in the match.  The Knights had a few last-minute fast breaks toward the goal, but couldn’t manage to find the net, allowing Robinson to move into the finals with a 1-0 win over Thomas Dale. 

In Saturday’s state final, Robinson fell to – guess who? – Deep Run, the same team that the Knights had just beaten the previous week, 2-1, to win the regional championship.  Go figure.  The Knights may feel that they should have been the ones playing Deep Run for the state title, but it’s possible that any of these top-level teams could have been the winner on any given day.  One thing is certain though – the Thomas Dale Knights had an outstanding soccer season again this year, finishing with a 21-2-0 record and as the champions in both their district and in Virginia’s central region.

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