Albemarle and Charlottesville’s girls lacrosse squads have put together some electric offensive performances when they’ve locked up this year.
Tuesday night was no exception as the Patriots held on for a 24-19 victory with an all-out, balanced offensive assault against the Black Knights in the Charlottesville Group semifinals. The win lifts Albemarle to the group title and gives the Patriots a berth in the South Zone tournament.
The Patriots were particularly explosive in the first half, building a 16-9 lead before the break in the win-or-go-home contest. Charlottesville managed to edge the Patriots in second half goals, but couldn’t climb out of the huge early hole.
Ryann Murray led the offensive explosion for Albemarle with six goals and two assists while Carolyn Chapman and Heidi Karweik posted a four-goal night each. Gwen Pattison and Rebecca Mendelsohn filled out the bulk of the scoring with a hat trick each while Lindsey Earles finished with two goals. Mendelsohn also notched three assists while Annie Barnes had two helpers. Earles and Chapman had an assist each.
Jayme Kusyk and Kendall Ballard each had monster nights for Charlottesville, with Ballard going for seven goals and an assist while Kusyk scored six goals and two assists. Fifi Thrift also gave the Black Knights a boost with a seven-point performance on four goals and three assists.
Despite the big offensive tallies, keepers Haley Williamson (AHS) and Emily Banbury (CHS) each posted solid save numbers with 13 a piece.
Albemarle (7-7) plays next against Western at Western at 6 p.m. on Friday in the
Charlottesville Group final.
