Loudoun Valley rallies twice for state lacrosse victory
By Carl Lukat
The Loudoun Valley Vikings displayed plenty of fortitude in their 9-8 overtime victory against host Western Albemarle in the Virginia AAA/AA girls' lacrosse quarterfinals May 31 in Charlottesville.
With a limited number of Virginia public high schools competing in lacrosse, the state tournament is made up of teams from Group AAA and AA classifications. Loudoun Valley is one of six AAA schools to qualify, and Western Albemarle was one of two AA teams to make the tournament.
The Vikings rallied from a one-goal deficit late in regulation and then again in overtime before finally claiming victory. The victory sends Valley (16-4) to the state semifinals for the second time in three years.
“There is great character on this team. They have grown together more than any other team I've coached,” said Viking coach Jay Harkey, whose daughters Shannon and Jessie both scored goals in the win.
The state victory came three days after Valley lost to Albemarle at home in the Northwest Region championship game.
“They are very young, and it took a lot of character to lose a tough game and then come back and win this game,” Jay Harkey said.
With Western Albemarle (16-3) holding a one-goal lead and possession of the ball with a minute left in regulation during Saturday's state quarterfinal game, Viking freshman Caitlin McGinn forced a turnover to give her team possession and one last chance to force overtime.
Senior Jessie Harkey made the most of the last chance, scoring the tying goal with 23 seconds left to send the game to overtime, where a pair of three-minute sessions would be held.
Western Albemarle scored first in overtime before sophomore Sophie Swan netted the equalizer for Valley. Both goals occurred in the first overtime session.
Sophomore Michelle Zakrewski scored midway through the second overtime, and the Vikings made the lead stand for the thrilling 9-8 victory.
Zakrewski scored two goals prior to her game-winner to finish the game with a hat trick. Senior Liz Klemens added two goals, while junior Courtney Ogelvee and sophomore Shannon Harkey each scored once. Senior Trish Hicks made 12 saves in goal.
Next up for Valley is Oakton, the two-time defending state champions. The state semifinal game is scheduled for June 4, 5:30 p.m. at Westfield High School in Chantilly.
“Obviously they have a few key players that we have to at least control,” Jay Harkey said. “We need to have a lot of luck and everybody clicking on all cylinders. If everybody plays their top game, we will come out on top.”
Albemarle will play Chantilly in Wednesday's other semifinal. The state final is June 7 at Westfield.
Spartans fall in quarterfinals
The magical seasons for Broad Run High School's boys' and girls' lacrosse teams came to a close in the state quarterfinals.
The Spartans were one of two Group AA schools to qualify for the eight-team combined AAA/AA state tournament field.
In the boys' game, Broad Run lost to host Oakton 14-6 on May 31. The Spartans finish the season as Dulles District regular season co-champions and outright tournament champions.
The Spartan girls dropped a 15-8 decision June 1 against host Chantilly. The game was originally scheduled for May 31 but was postponed a day due to rain.
Broad Run won the Dulles District regular season and tournament championships this spring.
Both Spartan teams advanced to the state playoffs by virtue of reaching the Region II championship game.