Forget quiet focus, Albemarle goalie Caroline Sheppard wants noise, and lots of it.
“I want to hear talking because when (Albemarle’s defenders) don’t talk, because it makes me kind of nervous,” Sheppard said. “Noise is my absolute favorite thing.”
The Patriots’ sophomore keeper stopped 15 shots in all that noise Tuesday night as Albemarle held on for a 12-10 victory over Monticello. The Patriots’ communication had to be on point down the stretch as Monticello made a strong charge and was just a couple of breaks away from potentially tying up the contest.
“When we talk we play as a unit, we know where each other are, we know where we can help each other,” Sheppard said. “That’s how we make sure we have each other’s backs.”
Summer Larese put the Mustangs on her back early with five first half goals and the Mustangs trailed just 8-7 at the break. It was a Herculean effort by the Monticello senior and with three goals from Paige McGlothlin (Larese finished with six for the game) nearly proved enough to turn the tide.
“I’m proud of her because she fought really hard, all the way to the last second,” said Monticello coach Carolyn Evans. “The score wasn’t the outcome that we wanted but the effort and the intensity that (the entire team) put forward was all that we can ask.”
Albemarle managed to keep Monticello at arm’s length throughout the contest, never allowing Monticello over the hump. A goal by Cam Edson that put Albemarle up 11-8 with just under 10 minutes to play proved to be huge as it put the Mustangs in a three-goal hole that proved too tough to climb out of.
The Patriots’ offense continued the balanced approach that has served it well all year, with freshman Anna Murray leading the charge against the Mustangs with three goals. Lindsey Earles and Cam Edson scored two goals each as well. The fact that the Patriots can score 12 goals and win with prolific scorers Morgan Rose and Jenn Wendelken notching a goal each is a testament to how deep the offense is and the trust Albemarle’s players have in each player’s individual ability.
“We’ve been averaging 7-9 scorers per night, we’ve got a lot of threats,” said Albemarle coach Lauren Thraves. “It’s nice to have other players step up..”
It also makes them dangerous because on any given night, someone else for the Patriots can make things tough on the opposition.
The Patriots can now turn their attention to a clash Friday night with Western Albemarle at home while the Mustangs host Powhatan the same night.
