With just two games left in Jefferson District play, Charlottesville High’s field hockey team has wrapped up at least a share of the district title after rolling 5-1 over Monticello Tuesday night to stay unbeaten in the district.
“This year I think the program has reached a whole new level,” said Charlottesville coach Lindsay Larson. “Last year was all about trying to be at the top and we did it and it came as such a surprise because we were still trying to get there.”
The Black Knights struck early, grabbing a 1-0 lead on a short corner with around 16 minutes to play in the first half. They extended the lead to 2-0 when Kendall Ballard unleashed a powerful back hand shot after a deft drive into the teeth of the Monticello defense.
Monticello answered with a long drive of their own by Kathryn Deane, who unleashed a shot off the left post that ricocheted to a waiting Natalie Noble who finished it off. But that was as close as the Mustangs got. Ballard scored again on a rebound and then the Black Knights extended the lead to 4-1 on a short corner in the closing seconds of the first half. That proved to be the backbreaker as Charlottesville’s defense held Monticello in check.
The Black Knights will try and keep their run through the JD going when they face Orange County Thursday night before wrapping up the regular season next Tuesday against Albemarle. The Mustangs will try and bounce back against Western and Albemarle in clashes next week.
