By Sara Page, Midlothian Exchange
spage@midlothianexchange.com

The Cosby boys scored a goal in each half of their first game of the annual College Showcase hosted at Cosby High School Thursday and Friday nights, but neither goal came easily as they went up against a tough Powhatan defense.

The Titans’ first goal came 14 minutes into the game when Luis Rendon pulled up on the left side of the goal box to shake a defender and pull the Powhatan goalie off his line on defense. Rendon sent a quick shot squarely into the center of the net.

The Indians had two chances to get the equalizer, the first on a long shot by Ethan Beard from about 40 yards out. Cosby goalie Dylan Southall punched the high, hard shot out for a corner. Cosby defender Adam Nelson headed the corner kick away, but Powhatan again took control.

Senior Aaron Snellings sent a header back toward the goal. Southall made the save but Snellings collected the rebound and sent another shot on goal that went just wide.

“We didn’t change our plan just because they’re Triple A. We’re just trying to play quality soccer all around,” Powhatan coach Lee McCullough said.

Powhatan got its best shot of the second half midway through the period when Beard dodged a defender down the right side of the field. He spun into the middle of the box and sent a shot on goal. Southall pushed the ball out for a corner, which went wide for a defensive clear.

The Titans got the final goal of the game with 17 minutes left to play. Kyle Forche danced down the right side of the field. Powhatan goalie Joseph Bungard made a dive and hit the ball back into the field of play. Forche caught the rebound and sent a shot into the left post.

“We went into [the showcase] thinking we needed to get some different combinations of players,” Cosby head coach Mike Anderson said. “Powhatan played very, very well. We didn’t know anything about them. They’re well organized, they did a great job. They’re a good team. I’m glad they were here.”

Bungard made eight saves for Powhatan while Southall made six for Cosby.

The Titans continued their scoring trend in Friday’s game against Deep Run. They scored one goal in each half. Unfortunately, two goals weren’t enough to top the Wildcats, who scored two in the first half and another in the second for a 3-2 score line.

“We’re just trying to fine tune and find the right combinations of players and find out who’s playing well now and who seems to be combining with other people. It’s nice to do that without district pressure,” Anderson said. “A lot of people are talking about [the Deep Run game], and I guess, media-wise, it’s a big deal, but I know Deep Run really wants to do well in their district and I know that Cosby wants to do well in their district, and we’ll play, and when the whistle blows, we’ll go at it, and so will they, but ultimately, it’s a showcase.”

Deep Run goalie Justin Bauersachs made eight saves in the game while Southall and Brad Custer split time in goal for the Titans and recorded four saves each.