While Western Albemarle coach Jake Desch was in the middle of a post game interview, a roar irrupted from his team huddle together at the middle of the field, soaked from an awfully wet night, but jubilant.
“They just found out that they’ve won the Jefferson District,” Desch quickly explained before getting back to interview.
With a 3-0 win over Monticello, the Warriors secured the Region II bid that comes with the JD regular season title and the top seed in the tournament coming up in two weeks.
“It was tough conditions for both teams and Monticello played great defense on us the whole time, but our strategy is to posses and try and wear teams out,” Desch said. “I think that played a big part tonight and we were able to take advantage of some of the opportunities that came from that.”
Despite knocking on the door many a time and maintaining possession for the majority of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second, all they had to show for it was a Marina Clark goal, one she put in off her own rebound.
But throughout the contest, the Warriors defense clamped down on Monticello and forward Emily Larabee, allowing the Western attack to consistently work from midfield in the majority of the game. Mustang defenders Cary Wingo and Hannah Keith helped their team to bend and not break, and goalkeeper Deanna Ballard coming up an athletic reaching save at the top of the goal poast midway through the second on what liked a sure goal.
“It was weird because it wasn’t like we weren’t playing our game, but I was glad we were able to pick up and figure out a way to get on top,” said Western’s Rachel Cooke.
When Cooke punched in a shot from outside on the left minutes later, the Warriors had the insurance they needed.
“My goal was just a good ball from Alexis Hucek and I kind of just hit it because Coach was telling us to hit it and see if they go in,” Cooke said. “It went in.”
Just moments later, freshman Anna Sumpter was able to put the game out of reach and lock up the win.
“That was just a combination play that was really good and we’ve been working on that for a long time,” Cooke said. “It’s good to see that we can execute on that.”
Western (12-1, 8-0) hosts Powhatan for its senior night on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Monticello (9-2-2, 5-2-1) still sits in second place in the JD standings and will host Fluvanna County on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
