South County Girls' Soccer Falls in District Title Game

For most of the second half of yesterday’s Patriot District Girls’ Soccer Championship game it seemed inevitable that South County would score the next goal. Given that the score was 1-1, the next goal would probably be the decisive one. The next goal did come of course, except it came from the foot of Lake Braddock’s Sharon Wojcik, giving the Bruins a 2-1 win and the Patriot District title.

The majority of the second half was played in the Lake Braddock side of the field and despite having several opportunities, the Stallions could not get one past the Bruin goalie. But Lake Braddock kept their poise in the face of South County’s constant pressure and when a deflected ball found its way to Wojcik, she turned it into a breakaway goal with less than 10 minutes remaining.

“They got one opportunity and they took advantage of it,” said a disappointed South County coach Maureen Saale.

It was Wojcik’s second goal of the game, as she put Lake Braddock up early, 1-0. The goal seemed to get South County’s attention as they immediately upped their intensity and eventually converted the effort into a goal by Liz Hodges that tied the game at one.

And even though South County got the best of a closely-matched, intensely physical game, Lake Braddock was able to keep the ball out of their net. South County’s best chance to take the lead may have come just minutes after Hodges’ first goal. From about 20 yards out, Hodges blasted a shot that hit the crossbar and caromed safely into a Lake Braddock player’s care.

“It’s hard when you dominate play and still lose,” Saale said.

The loss does not end South County’s season. They’ll be on the road next Wednesday as the Number 3 seed in Northern Virginia Regional Tournament.

Note: After the game Hodges, Caitlyn McLaughlin, Kelley Johnson and Andi Sullivan learned they were named to the All-District team.