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Albemarle field hockey shuts out Monticello

 

It took less than six minutes for Albemarle to get on the board Thursday night at Monticello and with the defense locked in, the Patriots shut out the Mustangs in a 2-0 victory. 

 

Albemarle controlled possession of the ball for most of the game and much of the action unfolded on Monticello’s side of the field. Briefly after a penalty corner, Albemarle struck first when Maggie Lynn sent the ball inside and Caroline Hughlett put it in the back of the goal. 

 

“We came out strong which is what we needed,” said Albemarle’s Liz Yow, who tallied the other goal for the Patriots in the second half. 

 

Monticello was able to dominate the game with crisp passing, something that head coach Brittany McElheny says is a critical development for her team, with many new faces getting involved this season. 

 

“On the field, it feels like a whole new mix,” said McElheny. “But I think tonight was the first night we’ve really seen them connect no matter who’s on the field.” 

 

Monticello was able to put some pressure on Albemarle late in the first half with a pair of penalty corners, but the Mustangs were unable to generate a good shot off of either of them. 

 

Just over nine minutes into the second half, Albemarle got an insurance goal. Maggie Lynn sent a great pass through the Monticello defense towards the end line and Abby Schiavone passed it to the middle, where Liz Yow was there to push it through to make it 2-0. 

 

“Our passing was really great this game,” said Yow. “Maggie passed it to Abby and Abby got it to the goal line and I just tipped it in.” 

 

The Patriots continued to play with a great deal of energy through the end of the game, including five penalty corner opportunities in the game’s final minutes. Although none of those corners resulted in goals, McElheny was pleased with her team’s effort. 

 

“The most important thing I think we saw out of them tonight was fight,” said McElheny. “It was a really hard-fought game. It was the hardest we’ve seen them work.” 

 

This victory was the second win in three days for Albemarle to begin the spring season after they beat Orange County 2-0 earlier this week. 

 

“It feels awesome, having two wins under our belts,” said Yow. “Especially here at Monticello.”

 

The Patriots will get a seven-day break before they square off with Charlottesville Thursday night. The Mustangs will face Louisa on the road Tuesday.

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