By Brandt Berry / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
Monticello High’s girls field hockey team started a tough week of Jefferson District games with a bang on Tuesday night as the Mustangs squeaked past a toughCharlottesville squad 1-0.
Monticello sophomore Colleen O’Connor netted the lone goal in the back and forth affair, knocking home a rebound off of a Natalie Noble shot.
But it was Monticello goalkeeper Gina Wiegold and the MHS defense who kept the Black Knights’ potent attack, and Charlottesville’s freshman Kendall Ballard, at bay.
Charlottesville came close to tying the game in the last five minutes of the game but Wiegold stopped a point-blank shot by Hunter as well as the ensuing short corner to guarantee a Mustangs victory.
“Honestly, I was in the moment…I just get in the zone and do whatever I can to help my team.” Wiegold said.
But for Charlottesville, who controlled the tempo most of the game, it was another narrowly lost opportunity.
“They had an opportunity and took advantage of it,” said Charlottesville coach Lindsey Clark, “We couldn’t take advantage of ours even though we dominated, so it’s frustrating in that aspect of the game.”
The win should help build both momentum and confidence for the Mustangs, who will try and replicate the effort against Western Albemarle later this week in a critical clash with the Warriors.
“Every piece of momentum is valuable to us, but to be more successful we have to minimize our mental errors and play more as a team,” Monticello coach Katie Owens said.
For Charlottesville, goalie Kate Coleman had a strong game in the defensive struggle. Both teams will be in action Thursday evening as Monticello takes on Western Albemarle and Charlottesville plays host to Taylor Brown and Covenant.
