Blacksburg players react after a disappointing loss in the state final to Riverside on Saturday morning at Roanoke College.
Blacksburg High School has the record to back up 12 state championships in boys soccer, but the most recent dates to 2013 when the Bruins downed E.C. Glass. Since then, they have finished second in four straight tries.
Saturday, Blacksburg fell 1-0 to Riverside in a defensive struggle.
Blacksburg Coach Shelley Blumenthal was still proud of his kids, but probably a little disappointed on how Riverside picked up the win on a penalty kick with less than two minutes left in the contest.
“The match was well played match by both teams. Riverside was opportunistic and cashed in on their best scoring chance following a Blacksburg foul just outside the penalty area. We had a few scoring chances that we shot over the goal and were saved by their goalkeeper,” he said.
The Bruins did claim both the conference and west regional title enroute to the championship game. They downed Tabb 2-0 on Friday to reach the finals.
“It was a terrific season with conference and region championships, state runner-up and 20 wins. I am very proud of our guys and disappointed for them as well, especially the seniors,” Blumenthal said.
Blacksburg finished the season 20-2.
