By Logan Riddick / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
Behind seven goals from senior Faris Wallenborn, the Western Albemarle girls lacrosse team took the season’s first showdown with cross-county rival Albemarle 20-12 on Tuesday night.
“We’re a bit of a young squad, so we’re definitely learning as we go,” said Albemarle coach Laurie Pratt. “I can see improvement with every game that we play. We’ll see this team again, and I think they’ll see a different Albemarle next time.”
With the score tied 1-1 five minutes in after Western’s Ellie Allen and Albemarle’s Julia Hartman found the net, the Warriors dominated the next ten-plus minutes of play with six straight goals (Wallenborn once; two by Olivia Rentz; Allen; Sammie Magargee; and Hannah Curry, who came up with a turnover and raced 30 yards before firing it home).
“I think the players just needed to settle in,” said Western coach Tara Hohenshelt. “I think the competition between Western and Albemarle is always competitive in any sport, and I think both teams were coming out all fired up and very emotional. After those first couple of minutes, we were able to relax, take a deep breath, and just look for the open players.”
Senior Ryann Murray halted the run with a goal for the Patriots to pull back to 7-2 with 6:31 left in the half, but Wallenborn answered 22 seconds later off an assist by Alison Berg. Heidi Karweik then netted the first of her three goals for Albemarle, but Western came back with two goals in 19 seconds by Wallenborn and Magargee. Sophomore Lizzy Chapman scored Albemarle’s last goal of the half with 2:14 left, which proved to be enough time for the Warriors to tally another pair, with Allen collecting her third off a stoppage, and Wallenborn scoring her fourth with an assist by Magargee.
“I think the problem was, in transition, we were getting the ball and just weren’t able to get it downfield to our attack,” Pratt said. “I think the second half we showed what we can do.”
With Western up 12-4 at the break, the teams played an even second half in colder, but drier conditions. Western surged to a 10-goal lead at the 17:07 mark after Wallenborn poured in two goals and an assist to Allen. Wallenborn exited after her seventh made it 18-8 with 10:26 remaining. Hartman picked up two more goals for Albemarle down the stretch.
“The rain was definitely a factor and our catching and throwing was a little off,” said Wallenborn. “I think we did a good job of adjusting. I saw opportunities and I just went for it.”
After Wallenborn’s seven-goal explosion, Allen and Magargee each finished with four goals for Western. Hartman and Karweik led the Patriots with three each.
Western (3-2) hosts Charlottesville as district play continues on Friday night, while Albemarle takes on Monticello.
