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It’d be easy at some point for Western Albemarle’s field hockey team to just assume the squad’s defensive group is going to post a shutout. The Warriors have surrendered just four goals this year and all four came in two games, 2-1 losses to powerhouses James Monroe and Collegiate.
“I wouldn’t say we take it for granted because we’re well aware of how good they are,” said Western coach Milo Oakland. “But we certainly rely on them.”
The Warriors’ defense, led by Hannah Weyher, Eliza Brodie and Dylan Wright as well as keeper Genevieve Repich posted its 17th shutout of the season to beat Warhill 1-0 Monday night in the Region 4A-1A West quarterfinals.
The victory pushes Western into the region semifinals, where they’ll play for the right to earn a state final four berth. That defense is a big reason why the Warriors will get that opportunity as they’ve simply locked up opposing offenses. It helps that the squad’s defensive center midfielders have really mastered their roles as well.
“Whether it’s Alex Douvas or Hannah Plantz, they’ve worked hard this season positionally and I think they’ve really figured out how to be that sort of rock in the center mid which cleans things up, makes things more predictable for our defenders,” Oakland said.
The game-winning goal came late in the opening half, when reserve Ellie Bowen finished off an unsettled situation. Bowen, not one of the Warriors’ most prolific offensive threats, buried the shot and gave the Warriors a huge leg up going into the break.
“She does such a good job of doing the intangibles so well and that’s why she gets in games,” Oakland said. “Joie (Funk) might be our most fit player so I’m able to lean on her but Joie looked tired and there was no plan to put Ellie in but Joie needed a sub. She’s a scrapper in front of the goal and she just did what she had to do.”
Western had largely controlled possession up until that point with some solid work from Valerie Hajek and others in the midfield. Warhill created more chances in the second half, but Western seemed to be on cusp of adding an insurance goal several times after the break, but Warhill keeper Ashton Otey stood the test.
“When playing pretty well and getting opportunities but as you get into the postseason you just start playing better goalies,” Oakland said. “Goalies that make saves. In previous games the onslaught of shots would rattle them but you get to this level you can’t expect that.”
The win sets up a region semifinal matchup with York and gives Western, the Conference 22 champion, the chance to host the match Wednesday evening.
