by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
Atlee hadn’t lost a match against a district opponent all year – until Thursday night.
That’s when two first-half goals less than five minutes apart, propelled Lee-Davis to a 2-1 victory over the Raiders in the Capital District field hockey tournament final at Henrico High, L-D’s third tournament crown in a row.
Freshman Amy Wingfield struck first, a laser from the left side of the goal just inside the circle.
Moments later, Lee-Davis used a free hit from the right side and a nice cross to an open Haley Mathews.
The terrific senior deposited it as the Confederates were off and running.
“We just played our hardest,” Mathews said. “Everybody says it’s tough to beat a team three times in a row, and obviously that’s true. We had a battle last night [in a two-OT win over Hanover]. We were all tired.
“But we came out here and did what we had to do.”
What L-D had to do was halt a strong offensive attack from Atlee.
Laura Beckler put in a goal a few minutes after Mathews on a corner feed from Sonia Anderson as the game went into halftime 2-1 Confederates.
Most of the second half was played in Lee-Davis’ half as the Raiders had opportunity after opportunity.
But L-D and keeper Sarah Clare (14 saves), a first-team all-district pick, were up to the task.
“I’m happy with the way we played,” said Atlee coach Alyssa Farling, whose Raiders won every district match save a tie to Hanover. “I think we dominated. Their defense gets the credit. Their goalie made some great saves.”
Said Clare: “I have so much confidence in my defense, and I knew we were going to get it out. I was just waiting for that whistle to blow.”
Both teams advance to the Central Region tournament that begins Monday.
Atlee, the No. 1 seed out of the Capital, will host Mills Godwin, the Colonial tournament champions who gave the Raiders their other blemish.
“We’re really looking forward to that,” Farling said.
Lee-Davis will travel to Colonial regular-season champ Maggie Walker GS, the region runner-up last season. The teams have not met this season.
Lee-Davis 2 0 – 2
Atlee 1 0 – 1
L-D: Wingfield, Mathews
A: Beckler
Saves: Clare (L-D) 14; Lassiter (A) 8
Records: Lee-Davis (13-5); Atlee (15-2-1)
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