Loudoun Valley: Spring Sports Weekly Update April 22-29

Purcellville (May 1, 2012) - The weekly Loudoun Valley High School spring sports update includes coverage of the Vikings boys lacrosse, softball, and girls soccer.

Sport:  Boys Lacrosse

Headline:  Viking Men Record Wins Over Potomac Falls and Heritage

By: John Steen and Tim Moore

News: Viking Varsity men squeak by Potomac Falls, 8-7, in a nail-biter on the road: The Vikings had to dig deep to overcome a 2 goal halftime deficit at Potomac Falls High School. Taking advantage of a struggling Viking offense, the Panthers extended their lead to three early in the third quarter. However, the Vikes clawed back with four goals to eventually tie the game at 6-6. Two final fourth quarter strikes put the Vikings ahead for good as the Viking defense stuffed the Potomac Falls offense late to allow just one last goal for the Panthers. Freshman John Skinner led Valley scoring with 3 goals and 1 assist, followed by senior Will Geise with 2 goals. Seniors Dylan Early and Greg Regan, and freshman Patrick Hopkins each scored a goal, and freshman Sully Warner had an assist.  Freshman goalie Nick Steen started and finished the game with 6 saves. Steen’s efforts were aided by a solid defense led by seniors Lucas Clark and Donald Devine, and junior Zach Allison.

Earlier in the evening, the JV Vikes enjoyed a little more cushion in their 10-4 victory over the JV Panthers. The Vikes executed a well-balanced offensive campaign with scoring coming off of fast-break opportunities and set offense. The Viking D-poles also held the JV Panthers in check, allowing very few scoring opportunities and forcing many turnovers. Face-offs were even, and Viking points were recorded by sophomores Conner Stift (2 goals), Myles Sullivan (2 goals), Drew Washington and Aidan Kilrain (1 goal each). The freshmen were led by Austin Moore and Darius Degree (each with 1 goal and 2 assists), followed by Mikey Shouse (2 goals) and Evan Klipple (1 assist). Jake Fournier was solid in the net recording 7 saves.

Viking Varsity men offensive output rebounds against Heritage resulting in 20-2 victory: In a Dulles District match the Loudoun Valley Vikings added to their win total as they overwhelmed the Heritage Pride on the road to increase their record to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the district. The tempo of the game was set early when the Vikings scored 9 seconds after winning the opening face-off. The Pride got on the board in the first quarter with two well-executed plays, cutting the Valley lead to 4-2 before the vaunted Viking defense dug-in to shut the Heritage offense down the rest of the way. The Valley offense built an essentially insurmountable 15-2 halftime lead, allowing a talented Viking bench to finish the game. Valley finished with the edge in face-offs with 19 out of 26. Leading the Viking scorers were Senior Will Geise with 5 goals and 2 assists, sophomore Chase Miller with 5 goals and 1 assist, and freshman Sully Warner with 4 goals and 2 assists.  Other Viking contributions came from brothers Greg Regan (senior) and Matt Regan (sophomore) with 1 goal each, senior Chris Fiedler (1 goal), Junior Zach Thomas (1 goal), freshman John Skinner (1 goal, 2 assists), and freshman Patrick Hopkins (1 goal).  Senior Dylan Early and freshman Andrew Cordani each had an assist. Freshman goalie Nick Steen started the game, and was relieved by junior Jim Shanks in the second half.  Each had 2 saves.

The JV Vikes were also successful against the JV Pride, winning 9-1. The JV Viking mid-field did the heavy lifting in winning face-offs and ground ball battles, setting the table for the Viking attack to get the finishing credits. As in the varsity contest, every available Viking saw playing time to contribute to the win. The D-pole starters Will Finn, Andrew Kinney, and Alex Jacobson kept the heat off goalie Jake Fournier most of the night as he recorded 2 saves. Leading the Vikings offensive performance was freshman Austin Moore (hat trick plus 2 assists) followed by sophomore Conner Stift (2 goals and 2 assists) and freshman Mikey Shouse (hat trick). Sophomore Aidan Kilrain contributed one goal and Christian Krommenhauk (junior) and Myles Sullivan (sophomore) each had one assist.

Upcoming: Viking LAX men will be busy in the upcoming week with games against George Mason, Tuscarora, and Woodgrove.

Sport:  Varsity Softball

Headline:  Loudoun Valley Vikings Fall Short Against Dominion and Loudoun County

By:  Beth Richardson

News:  The Lady Vikes Varsity Softball team traveled to Sterling, VA, on April 24th to take on the Lady Dominion Titans in blustery wind and winter-like temperatures.  The Vikings took an early lead, scoring 1 run in the 1st and then another in the top of the 5th, before the Titans were able to manufacture their first run in the bottom of the 5th.  Then Brittanne Gasser, who had been quiet at the plate all game, hit a 3-run homer over the right center fence to put the Titans up 4 to 2. Unfortunately, the Viking offense couldn’t answer and the game ended with Dominion on top. The Viking bats were led by senior shortstop Cassandra LaFonte (2 singles), whereas junior pitcher/outfielder Sam Adams, freshman second baseman Kailey Liverman, senior catcher Cabrina LaFonte, and senior pitcher Kelsey Richardson contributed singles.       Kelsey Richardson took the mound to start for the first time since her return to the team.  She walked 2 batters, gave up 4 hits, and struck-out 10.

On Wednesday, April 25th, the Vikings hosted the Loudoun County Raiders in Purcellville for their second match of the season. Despite starting the game with cold bats for the first 3 innings, the Vikings battled-back and played hard the entire game. The Vikes left 8 runners stranded throughout the game but still came close to capturing their first district victory after loading the bases in the bottom of the 6th with no outs. Unfortunately, the Vikes couldn’t capitalize and the Raiders eventually emerged victorious, 7-6. A defensive highlight of the game came in the top of the 5th when freshman second baseman, Kailey Liverman, shut down County’s offense with a double play. Viking offensive output included: senior first baseman, Allison Pentony, and junior pitcher/outfielder, Sam Adams, each with doubles; bunts by Liverman and Adams; and singles by seniors short stop, Cassandra LaFonte, and pitcher, Kelsey Richardson. Richardson started on the mound for her 2nd game on back-to-back nights allowing 7 hits, walking 4, and striking out 5. 

Upcoming: The Vikings play Woodgrove on Friday, April 27^th, against Potomac Falls at home on May 1^st, and then travel to Briar Woods on May 4th.

Sport:   Varsity Girls Soccer

Headline: Tough Week Against the District Leaders: the Lady Varsity Vikings Drop Two at Home

By: Tim Moore

News: The Lady Vikings had a tough time matching-up with the Dominion Titans and the Dulles District current third place team took advantage to score 8 goals in a contest played at Leonard Stadium. Titan play was consistent through both halves in which Dominion exerted tremendous offensive pressure on the Viking defenses. The Vikings did manage to break through with a goal of their own late in the game coming off the foot of junior Ellie McLaughlin (25:58 in the second half) to make the final score 8-1. The Vikings’ Ashley Moore (freshman) minded the goal for the match facing a barrage of 49 shots on frame, but also recording a season high 28 saves.

The end-of-week contest at Leonard Stadium featured the Vikings hosting the Dulles District current first place team, Woodgrove High School. In another game in which the Vikings played mostly on their defensive end of the field, the Wolverines only managed to find the back of the net twice; once late in the first half and again midway through the second half. Good play by the Viking’s seemed to frustrate Woodgrove’s efforts, as two Wolverine players received yellow cards during the match. However, the Vikings were unable to score a goal of their own despite mounting some promising attacks throughout the game. In the end, the Lady Wolverines emerged victorious, 2-0, to keep their undefeated season alive. Ashley Moore (freshman) minded the net for 80 minutes and recorded 15 saves.

Upcoming:  The Vikings next face Potomac Falls and Briar Woods.