Soccer: Fantastic Four! Briar Woods Boys, Girls; Tuscarora Boys, Woodgrove Girls All Advance to AA State Semifinals

(June 6, 2013) - A week ago when the Region II championship games were all-Dulles District affairs -- decided by one goal on the boys side and by a Golden Goal in overtime on the girls side -- we said that we wouldn't be surprised if all four teams didn't meet again at Radford in the state finals. On Tuesday all four teams took a big step towards that rematch with AA state quarterfinals wins.

The Briar Woods High School boys and girls swept a doubleheader at home with identical 3-0 shutouts -- the Falcons boys over Culpeper and the Falcons girls over Jamestown -- and the Tuscarora boys and Woodgrove girls brought home road victories with the Huskies beating Lafayette, 2-1, and the Wolverines taking Courtland, 3-1.

All four teams will play back-to-back-to-back-to-back at Radford on Saturday, June 8 in the state semifinals, pushed back a day due to incoming storms: Briar Woods boys vs. E.C. Glass 10 a.m.; Tuscarora boys vs. Blacksburg noon; Briar Woods girls vs. Blacksburg 2 p.m.; Woodgrove girls vs. Salem 4 p.m. Finals are slated for Sunday, June 9. (see jump for game recaps)


Girls Soccer: Briar Woods 3, Jamestown 0
Briar Woods (18-4-1) out-played a stunned Jamestown squad for the first 20 minutes of the match that included a collision just 20 seconds into play that sent the visiting Eagles keeper out of the game. When Briar Woods scored six minutes later it appeared that the Falcons would romp to victory but the momentum swung in the latter part of the half.

Jamestown hit the crossbar twice against the Falcons defense and Briar Woods, recovering its balance, struck the game's decisive goal, scoring just 2:03 before halftime as junior McKensey Ziegler, buried a header off a cross from junior Carly Melkus. It was Ziegler's team-leading 14th goal on the year.

"It came off an early cross from Carly and it  was an easy goal to score," said Ziegler. "It was a momentum boost for us."

Jamestown never recovered from that late first half goal and did not mount any serious offensive threats in the second half, taking just one shot. In the contest, Briar Woods out-shot Jamestown, 21-5 including 9-1 on goal.

"Our defense plays with such heart, they are ferocious back there," said Briar Woods coach Ann Vierkorn.

The Falcons first goal game just minutes after the big collision between Ziegler and Jamestown keeper Hannah Sams, who had to exit the game with a cut on an ear and above an eye.

Junior Elizabeth Reid slotted home a nice cross from junior Emma Quirk, which skirted through the six to the far post.

Briar Woods' third goal was a stunning volley from junior Alexis Haycraft in the 63rd minute as she redirected a cross from freshman Rayven Conner from distance to the upper half of the net.

The Falcons now have registered four straight shutouts and have blanked seven of the last eight opponents, all but one which came in the playoffs.

"It's been an awesome run. something describable," said Ziegler.

Girls Soccer: Woodgrove 3, Courtland 1
The defending state champion Wolverines return to Radford again with goals from Sarah Hardison, Brittany Basinger and Ashley Bonner. Maggie Buxton and the Wolverine defense played tough as the team improved to 18-5-1. Bonner also notched an assist.

Boys Soccer: Briar Woods 3, Culpeper 0
Briar Woods (16-6-1) shut down Culpeper's offense that the Falcons defense didn't even allow a shot in the second half of a dominating win. Overall, Briar Woods out-shot Culpeper, 20-4 in the contest, including 11-2 on goal.

The Falcons struck early, scoring on a great give-and-go between seniors David Etter and Nick Der-Hacopian with Etter feeding Der-Hacopian down the right flank and then making a run to the far post where he beat the keeper on the assist from Der-Hacopian in the 7th minute.

That 1-0 lead stood until the 55th minute when the Falcons struck off a long throw by Der-Hacopian as a scrum went up for the ball near the goal and senior David Etter came away with the header goal.

"I just throw it and hope someone gets on to it," said Der-Hacopian.

Late insurance as added by sophomore Ckameron Aziz when he scored with 2:09 left on an asist from senior Mike Venkat.

The quarterfinal win erased memories of a tough loss in the 2012 state quarterfinals, especially for the Briar Woods seniors.

"It is nice to be going to Radford and get another chance. Not a lot of teams get a second chance," said Der-Hacopian.

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora 2, Lafayette 1
The Huskies will make another trip to Radford with sensational senior striker Angel Ceron-Garcia netting the game-winning in the 77th minutes, just three minutes before the state quarterfinal would have entered into overtime.

Tuscarora (21-1-2) scored the game's first goal on a free kick in the 28th minute with freshman Diego Rodriguez heading the ball into the back of the net.

Lafayette tied the game five minutes later on a goal by Emery Trott.