Albemarle controlled the run of play Tuesday night against North Stafford, driving well-struck cross after well-struck cross into the circle.
Still, the Patriots couldn’t punch the ball into the goal, and when North Stafford got one of its few opportunities to score with under 13 minutes to play, the Wolverines broke through.
Callie Wetzelberger, a senior, buried the ball in the back of the cage, and after North Stafford withstood the Patriots’ final charge, the Wolverines wrapped up a 1-0 win and sole control of the Commonwealth District’s No. 2 spot behind unbeaten Mountain View.
“Field hockey is a lot like soccer that way,” said Albemarle coach E.A. Jackson. “You can completely dominate and if they have one goal…that’s kind of been the story of this team all season. They’ve really stepped up their game and we’re working on finishing, that’s our biggest challenge right now”
The Patriots (9-4, 5-4 Commonwealth), who’ve made great strides under Jackson, constantly forced the issue, drawing a number of short corners. But each time, Albemarle struggled to tally a goal.
“We’ve got some really quick girls on the team, and they know where they’re supposed to be in the circle,” Jackson said. “But for some reason we just have a tough time connecting the ball on the stick once we’re in the circle.”
On one breakaway early in the second half, Albemarle senior Emily Miller, a speedy forward, made an impressive shot across her body that barely missed the goal to left. Miller kept North Stafford’s defenders on their toes all night with strong runs down the sideline.
“Em Miller, her speed is untouchable,” Jackson said. “A lot of girls are quick but not quick with the ball on their stick but Em can put it together. It’s fun to watch her play.”
The Patriots will try and snag a big-time victory and avenge an early season loss against Mountain View, currently unbeaten in the Commonwealth and alone at the top of the district standings. A win there would go a long way towards securing a home game in the district quarterfinals while helping Albemarle emerge from the logjam in the middle of the district standings.
