2022.05.13 Girls Lacrosse: Cedar Run District Championship

Haymarket, VA (May 13, 2022) - The Battlefield Bobcats earned their top seed in the Cedar Run District tournament by going 12-2 overall and undefeated in district play. The visiting John Champe Knights also had a great season, finishing 11-5 overall and 5-2 in Cedar Run games. However, their only two losses came at the hands of--you guessed it--Battlefield.

Champe ended up seeded third, so the Knights had to play an extra game to make the championship match. But they upset the second seeded Freedom Eagles to get here, and that served as momentum for the final.

Chas Sumser Photography was there to capture the action and emotion and posted a gallery of images from the game.

On goals from Natalie Moul and Erin Sweeney, Battlefield jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after just four minutes. It looked easy--and a lot like the beginning of a runaway--as Champe had almost no possession for the first eight minutes. But when they finally got the ball, Abigail Hardiman scored to trim the Bobcat lead to 2-1.

It was clear that Champe planned to play a slow, methodical game. Goalie Anjolie Browne was deliberate on her restarts, carefully looking for outlets even if it sometimes took a while. And when they had the ball on offense, which wasn't often in the first half, they did not force the action, choosing rather to take their time and slow the Battlefield transition. 

On the other hand, when the Bobcats had possession they zoomed up the field, whipping the ball around with precision, looking for ways to attack the goal. Building up a 5-2 lead at halftime on additional goals from Kendra Harris (2) and Lucy Shafer, they were not running away with it, but they seemed in firm control, and the Battlefield defense in front of goalie Gracie Lint was rock solid.

When Moul scored again three minutes into the second half, the game looked to be all but over. But gradually, over the final twenty minutes, the Knights clawed their way back into the game. Scoring four of the next five goals--with Kathryn Hutton getting her second and third of the match--the visitors were trailing 7-6 with under a minute to play. 

If the Knights could win the ensuing faceoff, they'd have one more chance to tie the score. But as they had all night, Battlefield won that restart, gained possession, and held on for the win and the championship.

Both teams will advance to regional play next week.

Final Score: Battlefield 7 - John Champe 6