The South County scoreboard behind Chapman Jasien read that the game was tied and its timer had 3.6 seconds left as the Robinson attacker’s knee hit the ground, bullied to the slippery turf and away from the goal by a defender who couldn’t stop Jasien’s cradle.
As if timing his steps to the millisecond, Jasien rose, spun toward the goal and outhustled the clock to get off a shot. By the time the clock hit zero, the score read 10-9 in Robinson’s favor — though only briefly before South County’s press box turned off the power, not wanting the first blemish on the Stallions’ otherwise perfect 2014 season to light up the Lorton night for long.
“I didn’t even look at the clock, but I knew it was a short time left,” Jasien said. “So I just went to the goal and did what I can do.”
One of Virginia 6A’s most formidable defensive teams this season, the Rams sputtered offensively as they lost three of their first four games. Jasien was out with a knee injury for all four games.
Since his return to limited action in early April, Robinson is 8-0, with Jasien serving as the propeller that lifts the Rams’ offense to the level of its stifling defense.
“He’s an emotional leader who gets us pumped up for every game,” said Robinson goalie Nick Kondracki, who Jasien said “won us the game” with a big save on a would-be go-ahead shot from South County (12-1) in the final minute. “He’s just a playmaker, and he’s essential.”
Wednesday was Jasien’s first full game since returning from injury, and he made an impact from start to finish. He assisted on the last two goals before halftime. He scored 14 seconds into the third quarter, giving the Rams a 6-5 lead. He scored Robinson’s ninth goal — insurance that provided a 9-6 edge at the time, but a goal that proved critical when South County stormed back late to tie.
Then, when it looked like time would finally stymie him like the Stallions defense couldn’t, Jasien scored the winner.
“That guy’s done it four or five times last year, so I did have faith in him,” Robinson Coach Matt Curran said. “Since he’s been in the lineup as a starter, it’s been great. He’s a difference maker.”
With the win, aided also by four goals from attacker Chris White, Robinson (10-3) handed South County its first loss of the season and reinvigorated its own belief — perhaps shaken by early season losses to W.T. Woodson and Chantilly — that the Rams are one of the top teams in the state.
“That feeling of beating a team that’s unbeaten, it’s awesome,” Jasien said. “Obviously they’re a good team, that was a battle, they came back super well. But I just couldn’t be happier to get that win.”