Coming out of a 91-minute weather delay, it’s easy to stumble or take a step back.
But Western Albemarle’s field hockey team is doing everything it can to make sure it doesn’t lose focus for a second.
“I was worried about that delay because I have some girls with (tests in AP classes) and they were nervous about that,” said Western coach Mia Fields. “But (assistant) coach (Jacob) Desch did this awesome visual imagery right before we got off the bus and I think that inspired them.”
The Warriors didn’t lose a step after the long lightening delay and turned a 1-0 lead before the long break into a 5-0 rout of Monticello on the road. The win gives the Warriors an early leg up in the Jefferson District race.
“We’ve been working on our offense — cuts by the forward, getting to the ball, not waiting for the ball but going to the ball,” Fields said. “This was really nice that we had some success out of all our hard work.”
Olivia Hajek got the scoring started with 17 minutes left in the first half and the weather delay kicked in shortly after that. Chance Masloff, a sophomore, scored the first goal after the delay. To cap off the offensive explosion, a pair of Tess Lohr goals bookended a Becca Moriconi tally.
Maya Langaman picked up the shutout victory in goal.
Monticello struggled to possess and move the ball throughout the night, but that seemed to be more a product of a Western team that had found a groove.
“I know this is a frustrating loss for all of us but they never gave up,” said Monticello coach Karen Redd. “We met up with a very talented team that’s got some great stick work and they can just move the ball wherever they want it to go but our girls never gave up.”
The Warriors play Powhatan Monday night while Monticello takes on Louisa County Thursday. The Lions are coming off their first win in school history Thursday night against Powhatan.
