Monticello coach Craig Brannan was hoping someone could make Charlottesville at least uncomfortable in the Jefferson District tournament — he said as much two weeks ago after the Black Knights knocked off his Mustangs in the squads’ second regular season meeting.
Monticello got another shot, but once again couldn’t get the Black Knights out of rhythm as Charlottesville fed off the momentum of a thrilling early goal by Ellie Von Storch to pick up a 5-1 win over the Mustangs.
“When we played them earlier we had kind of given them things, but not this time,” Brannan said. “That first goal was a great goal and then from there on they started rolling.”
Von Storch connected on a header off a terrific setup by Maggie McNair in the early going.
“(McNair) took a shot that ended up floating right into the middle of the box,” Von Storch said. “The goalie came out, I ran onto it and I just flicked it with my head over the goalie.”
After Von Storch’s huge goal, Mary Hemmenway, who has been red-hot of late, poured in three first half scores while teammate Mia O’Neill chipped in a goal as well. Charlottesville led 5-0 at the break. Hemmenway, who had a hat trick against Western in the semifinal too and scored a pair against Goochland in the quarterfinals, has broken out in the postseason. With teams trying to stymie Charlottesville striker Abigail Intolubbe-Chmil and Von Storch, Hemmenway has taken advantage and emerged as another potent option for an already deep Black Knights squad.
“She’s always been technically good,” Opere said. “(She) has picked up a moment of splendid soccer. Suddenly she’s playing with speed, power and aggression.”
Hemmenway’s play continued the Charlottesville offense’s domino effect with Kelsy Brownrigg giving teams defensive fits too. While Brownrigg hasn’t scored in the postseason just yet, she’s creating a lot of offensive chances for Charlottesville.
“She’s also started developing,” Opere said. “I don’t know if it’s an effect of what Hemmenway is doing on the other side, but when you have a wide field like this one, you have two (great) wings, how do you defend that.”
According to Opere, that assertive offensive approach is a product of the defense’s incredible body of work. The Black Knights have surrendered just one goal in the three-game Jefferson District tourney, allowing Monticello’s Ellie Linkous to break through late in the second half. Goalie Emily Thomas had eight saves and she got some extensive help from defenders Anne and Tori Shaffrey as well as Kellie Havens and Maggie McNair.
“They’ve been wonderful,” Opere said. “When (the offense has) that confidence in that kind of defense you can just play.”
Considering Monticello’s relative inexperience, the Mustangs have pieced together an incredible campaign. Monticello sits at 13-5-1 and will travel Tuesday to face Handley High in Winchester in the Region II quarterfinals.
“I was really proud of the second half because we have to continue to get better,” Brannan said. “We had to get something out of that 40 minutes because we have a tough game coming up Tuesday.”
The Mustangs utilize a number of young players in the lineup. Five of those underclassman starters — Linkous, Cary Wingo, Kristen Grimshaw, Katie Cersely and Alexis Mallory — picked up some form of All-Jefferson District honors.
Charlottesville will host in the Region II quarterfinal round against either Freedom or Millbrook Tuesday. Those two play Monday to determine who advances.
