Western Albemarle had a birthday to celebrate, and even an incredible game-tying goal by Albemarle with nine seconds left in regulation wasn’t going to keep the Warriors from letting Becca Moriconi fully enjoy Thursday night.
“It’s Becca’s birthday so we were really putting it on the field for her because we wanted to her have her day,” said Western goalie Maya Langman.
Moriconi proved to be the difference maker, scoring with a long run with 42 seconds left in the first overtime. After the Warriors’ defense held over the next 3:42, Western clinched a 12-11 victory and a sweep of the West Central Division regular season and tournament titles.
Moriconi’s goal completed a hat trick for the Warriors’ standout, but Bridget Shaffrey carried the load for the Warriors, pouring in six goals and dishing out one assist while collecting three draw controls. Western’s Ellie Allen had two goals of her own and Oilvia Rentz rounded out the scoring with a single goal.
Langman had 14 saves on the night for Western including a critical one on a point blank shot in the second overtime.
“That was her best game and she’s funny because she’s so focused on what she does for the team that she told me after the save ‘and then I saw my teammate open and I knew I could get it to her (on the clear)’,” said Western coach Nancy Webber.
The Warriors had to withstand an incredible second half from Albemarle. The Patriots scored three straight goals out of the break to erase a 7-4 deficit and then traded goals back and forth before they found themselves trailing by a goal with under a minute to play.
“We’ve had close games all over season and teams are evenly matched clearly,” said Albemarle coach Laurie Pratt. “We did great out of the half—we were able to come out and really increase the defensive pressure and take the ball to the goal.”
With nine seconds left, Connor Carson found the back of the net for just the second time on the night, slipping it past a diving Langman, who’d been pulled out chasing a ground ball. Western didn’t waver though, and Moirconi’s goal in overtime, eventually, gave the Warriors the win.
Ryann Murray and Carolyn Chapman powered the Patriots with a hat trick each, while Anna Smith had a goal and an assist. Hanna Shaps also tallied a goal.
Both squads advance to the West Central Section tournament, with Western playing Patrick Henry out of Roanoke Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Albemarle travels to Deep Run Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
