It’s like Charlottesville’s field hockey team has suddenly mashed the gas pedal down.
And Kettle Run and Fauquier were left in the Black Knights’ wake.
After shutting out Kettle Run Wednesday, Charlottesville exploded for a 5-3 victory over Fauquier Thursday night in the Region II final, wrapping up a berth in the Group AA final four with the win.
The Black Knights head now to Virginia Beach for the state semifinals. Since beating Western Albemarle in overtime in the Jefferson District final, Charlottesville has found another gear.
“It all came full circle,” said CHS coach Lindsay Larson. “We gained so much confidence from that game — we’re on such a high.”
While Kendall Ballard is still the offense’s cornerstone — she had a goal and three assists in the win over Fauquier — it’s the fact that her teammates around her have stepped up in a big way that’s changed how opponents have to defense CHS.
The return of Maddy Eure from an early season concussion has been a big part of that resurgence. Eure is a savvy forward with good skills around the cage. Last night, she re-directed a rip from Ballard for the Black Knights’ third goal of the night and then provided some insurance with the fifth goal with 7:22 to play.
“She brings energy and she can finish,” Larson said. “She did that tonight and it’s great to have her back.”
Charlottesville ended up needing all that offense as Fauquier refused to go away quietly in the final seven minutes, scoring a pair of goals against the Black Knights’ reserves. CHS didn’t panic though, staying steady and weathering the onslaught with Ballard taking control in the midfield in the closing minutes.
Emily Lichtenberger staked Charlottesville to the early lead, scoring just seven minutes into the contest. That was all the scoring Charlottesville mustered before the break, but the floodgates opened in the second half. Junior midfielder Marie Theres Schneider plugged in another goal in the early stages of the second half before Eure’s two goals sandwiched Ballard’s tally.
The Black Knights will face the winner of the Region I runner-up and Region I No. 3 contest on Tuesday on Friday at 1 p.m. in Virginia Beach. The Black Knights face a steep challenge there because of the change in playing surface in the state semifinals and finals.
“A lot of these girls have never set foot on AstroTurf,” Larson said. “It’s going to be a great experience, we’re just going to enjoy every minute of it.”
