It’s incredible to go unbeaten during a regular season in the Commonwealth District in any sport. In girls soccer when you have to play opposing squads twice, it’s a feat.
With a 4-0 victory over Stafford Friday night, Albemarle girls soccer just completed that feat. For the second year in a row.
“The girls have worked extremely hard and they support each other,” said Albemarle coach Jon Hall. “They’re a fun group to work with…and then when they step between the lines and they’re (all) business.”
The Patriots, who went 11-0-3 against the slightly slimmed down Commonwealth in 2011, wrapped up a 14-0-2 season against the beefed up district that added Orange County this year. It’s an incredible stretch of 30 games where the Patriots didn’t absord a single defeat. The Patriots’ only Commonwealth-related loss came in the district tournament final last year in penalty kicks.
Albemarle ripped past Stafford with its usual combination of solid midfield play and aggressive offense. Senior Abby Mathes led the assault. Mathes scored the Patriots’ second goal, assisted on the third and unleashed a near miss on a tremendous shot from 25 yards out that bounced off the post, then off the Stafford keeper and back off the crossbar in the second half.
“It’s really great because we have a great offense and a great defense,” Mathes said. “I can turn and I always have someone open, it’s just been a really great effort all around.”
Mathes is one of several players that played a key role on both the 2011 and 2012 squads. She’s been a constant presence for the Patriots over the last two seasons.
“It was a typical performance from her, she normally plays 80 minutes for us and gives me everything all the time,” Hall said. “She covers sideline to sideline and touchline to touchline.”
Freshman Carmen Thomas, junior Maggie Tubridy and sophomore Abby Davison had the Patriots other three goals on the night. Thomas struck first, scoring in the first half while Davison and Tubridy scored after the break. Tubridy slotted a penalty kick from inside the box in the late stages of the second half.
Albemarle now moves on to the Commonwealth District tournament where the Patriots will host throughout the tournament.
