By
John Harvey
WILLIAMSBURG
– Last spring, Kelau Smith served as a key defender for a Bruton team that
reached the Conference 33 tournament semifinals.
Smith
transferred to Walsingham Academy this fall and reclassified for a chance to
play a more offensive role. The move worked out as he led the Trojans to a 3-2
victory over Vertias School of Richmond in Friday’s season opener in Williamsburg.
The
sophomore center-midfielder converted a one-timer with five minutes as
Walsingham erased a 2-1 halftime deficit.
“If
feels amazing scoring that goal for Walsingham,” Smith said. “It was my
first-ever, high school goal.”
Smith
said the game-winner was just a matter of him being in the right place at the
right time. “Our forward took the ball down the right side and took a shot that
was deflected out by a defender,” he explained. “It rolled to me and while it
was still rolling, I took a one-touch shot into the bottom left corner.”
The celebration was not as elaborate. “I was so excited,
but I didn’t have any energy to run around and celebrate like most soccer
players would do,” he said. “I looked up to the sky, thanked God and jogged
back to our side of the field as my teammates congratulated me.”
Smith’s late-game heroics proved to be a perfect ending
to a great season opener for both schools.
Walsingham senior Teddy Gutches scored on a header from
a corner kick five minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead.
Vertias responded with
two goals from Ian Ruzich, including one on a penalty kick.
The Trojans evened the score with 20
minutes left as Kian Lawlor found the back of the net off a nice through ball
from Michael Farace for a 2-2 tie.
Alex Bolton made seven saves for
Walsingham (1-0) to preserve the win.
Contact me at jharvey@revcitysports.com or
@HarveySports757 via Twitter.
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