It’s becoming about as predictable as anything in local high school sports over the last two years — when Western Albemarle and Albemarle’s girls lacrosse teams lock up, it’s going to be a classic.
Friday’s clash was of course, no exception.
In the end, Western countered a 7-goal effort by Albemarle’s Connor Carson with an incredible all-around effort by Becca Moriconi to pick up a 13-11 victory.
“If you look at all the people who scored, people who got draw controls—I think we played the best I’ve ever seen us play,” Moriconi said. “I want to cry right now I’m so excited.”
Moriconi finished with three goals and an assist on the night, but more importantly hauled in seven draw controls for the Warriors. Bridgett Shaffrey spearheaded the offensive effort with four goals and an assist, with the lone assist sparking the second in a pair of back-to-back goals that put Western ahead for good.
Shortly after Faris Wallenborn netted what became the eventual game-winner, Shaffrey came around from behind the goal off a draw control and found a wide open Linda Hexter. Hexter finished off the Shaffrey feed with a quick move to the cage and Western led 13-11 with 4:35 left.
“In team practices, we will pull players out and say ‘these are our shooters today’ so that everyone has that opportunity and everyone knows they’re a threat,” said Western coach Nancy Haws. “Then everybody is looking for those players to lead us in practice and that of course translates to the game.”
From there, the Warriors’ defense held and the offense managed to melt the clock.
Albemarle outscored the Warriors for the majority of the game, but a disastrous first 10 minutes put the Patriots in a difficult hole. Carson’s seven goals and tallies from Mai Toms, Hanna Shaps and Ryann Murray ignited the Patriots, who rallied back to actually take a 9-8 lead in the second half before Western seized control again. Albemarle’s defensive performance was a big part of the rally.
“We played really strong (defensively) — not so much in the first 10 minutes but after that,” said Albemarle coach Laurie Pratt. “It’s hard to come back from 5-0 at the beginning of the game and playing like a team I’d never seen before. If we hadn’t been down by five, the final score would’ve been different but you can’t make that kind of mistake in a big game.”
Morgan Schuler had a pair of goals during the Warriors’ 5-0 run to start the game and finished with three goals and an assist. Ellie Allen also had a goal for Western. The Warriors’ Maya Langman finished with five saves in the cage while Shaffrey had four draw controls to go with her five total points.
Western will try and keep the momentum going when the Warriors host Charlottesville Tuesday at 7 p.m. Albemarle faces Monticello Monday at 7 p.m. at home I another critical West Central Division clash.
