Western Albemarle’s field hockey team did it in practice — which begged one question.
Why weren’t they doing it during games?
“We pepper Maya (Langman), our goalie, all the time in practice, we destroy her and beat her up,” said Western coach Mia Fields. “Then we get in the game and we just don’t finish. Even Maya gets on them about it, like ‘hey, guys, we do it in practice, let’s do it in the games.”
Western crashed the goal relentlessly Tuesday night in a 5-0 victory over Powhatan in the Jefferson District semifinals. That aggression created several short-range goals and locked up another Jefferson District championship berth for the Warriors.
Jessie Powell scored the Warriors’ first two goals. Powell’s work opened the floodgates as the usually defensive-oriented sophomore midfielder kickstarted the Western offense.
“The whole year we wanted her to take more shots and take more shots, but sometimes she plays a little more defensive mid than offensive,” Fields said. “I’m glad she’s in an offensive groove.”
Western’s Chance Masloff was credited with the squad’s third goal early in the second half after the ball ricocheted in off a Powhatan defender.
Rosalie Stoke scored the Warriors’ fourth goal on an Olivia Hajek assist that finished off a quick series of good passes by the Western offense. Riley Funk wrapped up the Warriors scoring with a rebound goal as part of a continued effort to attack the cage.
“We just want to take advantage of (the postseason) and keep playing,” Fields said. “I think they feel there’s an urgency and importance.”
Western’s Langman finished with eight saves on the night to spearhead the Warriors’ defensive effort.
The Warriors will face Monticello Thursday in the Jefferson District championship final.
