Andrew Giermak

CHESAPEAKE – Indian River scored twice in a three-minute span early in the first half against visiting Nansemond River and that margin was too much for the Warriors to overcome as the Braves won a Southeastern District boys soccer match Thursday night, 4-1.

River’s starting keeper, Jared VonBargen, was tested often in the opening minutes by the Braves, and made three difficult saves in the first 10 minutes.

But Indian River continued to create good chances on VonBargen’s goal.

Throughout the first half, IR was able to attack NR down both wings, get dangerous crosses into the penalty area, and have multiple attackers get themselves free in the box to make something of those crosses.

The Braves got on the board in the 14th minute and doubled their advantage before the Warriors had time to regroup, scoring again in the 16th minute.

NR responded by taking more possession and soon the Warriors had just as many scoring chances as the Braves.

In the 26th minute, Alton Donovan scored to cut the Braves’ lead in half.

The attack began off a throw-in on the right sideline in the IR half.

The throw found Trevor Moyer who slipped a short pass ahead to Donovan.

Taking the pass in stride, Donovan dribbled into the right side of the Brave penalty box and ripped a low shot that split the keeper’s legs and found the goal.

The Warriors had opportunities to tie the match before the half, but the Braves countered with another quickly developing attack that ended in a goal in the 33rd minute.

The Braves made it 4-1 in the 52nd minute, but the Warriors continued to compete hard and aggressively attack down to the final minutes.

After the fourth IR goal, NR outshot the Braves 13-0 and the Warriors ended up with a 24-15 shot advantage for the match, but none of those late shots found the back of the net and the early Braves’ goals ended up being enough.

The loss snapped a five-match winning streak by the Warriors (6-3-0, 3-1-0) who will now try to rebound with a home match Tuesday versus Oscar Smith.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.