During the postseason, it seems likely that opponents are going to try and shut off Western Albemarle girls soccer Katrine Berg and Julia Berg and try to hem in Ellie Cox in the middle.
Albemarle definitely knew that was a big part of the task.
When that happens — and it’s easier said than done — the Warriors are going to need other players to step up. If Thursday is any indication, they might have that part figured out too.
With an early Cordellia O’Connell goal set up by a slick piece of footwork from Erin Meier, the Warriors managed to knock off Albemarle 1-0 to give the Patriots their first loss of the season while winning the Jefferson District regular season championship in the process.
“It’s a huge win, we love playing Albemarle every year, they’re really good technically and they have some really fast players, so this is really a test for us,” O’Connell said.
Both squads will be the top seeds in their respective region tournaments next week with Albemarle jumping into the Region 5D field where they won the title last year while two-time defending state champion Western moves into Region 3C play.
O’Connell’s goal came with 26 minutes left in the first half. Meier crossed the ball from the right side after flicking it to herself to get past an Albemarle defender. The cross was perfect, finding O’Connell near the top of the box.
“The ball came right to me, I chested it and volleyed it, hoping that it’d go in and it went right over the keeper’s head,” O’Connell said.
She sent a short, arcing shot in, banging it off the crossbar and in for what would hold up as the game-winner. Matching up with Albemarle has often forced Western to find goals in less likely places, like Cox’s game-winner as a freshman last season, and O’Connell coming up with one was a game changer.
“She stepped up big time — our coaches kept telling us we need to outshoot the other team and Cordy was the one to step up and be brave and take that shot,” said Western senior defender Ellie Plantz.
After the goal, it was all about Westen’s midfield and defense locking up Albemarle well for the rest of the match. They were up to the task and eager for redemption after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Patriots earlier this season.
“They have really, really fast forwards so for our defenders to stay with them was very impressive,” Cox said. “It goes back to communication, saying where you need to be in the right times is just crucial because then you can stay with them and get the ball back.”
Plantz and Kate De Jong were a big part of that effort, managing to keep the speedy Madeline St. Amand from knifing through very often to create chances. When she or another Albemarle player did manage to break through, Bailey Wood came up with stops, including a key punch out on a corner kick in the first half.
The Patriots couldn’t find an equalizer to make things interesting, but despite being banged up with star midfielder Savannah Alexander among a couple of others nursing injuries, they managed to hold the Warriors scoreless in the second half.
“Their offense is so potent you have two Berg girls running at you and Ellie Cox in the middle, it’s hard to contain,” said Albemarle coach Amy Sherrill. “But we’re exactly where we need to be. This will refocus us, we’ll have some time off and then we’ll get ready to start a new chapter, a new season with the playoffs next Thursday.”
Now both teams will turn their attention to the region playoffs, with both scheduled to begin their postseason journey Thursday against opponents to be determined.
