Langley Defeats McLean in Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse, 19-7

Peter Mahoney, a parent whose daughter plays on the Langley team, sent along this story about this recent game.
 
 The Langley High School Women’s Varsity Lacrosse Team overwhelmed traditional cross-town rival McLean High School in the Saxons’ Northern Virginia Liberty District opener, 19-7. 

Langley jumped to an early lead on its home field and thoroughly dominated play, with eleven different players scoring goals, led by Juniors Olivia Sisson and Grace Goettman with three goals apiece.  The Highlanders were led by Junior Alex Lockhart’s four goals.

Following the spring break, the Lady Saxons, currently ranked eighth in Laxpower’s Virginia state rankings, face a tough schedule, with four of their seven remaining regular season games against top-ten-ranked opponents.
 
Playing under clear skies and mild conditions, the Saxon starting squad immediately made the talent mismatch clear with a blistering display of offense, scoring eight times in the game’s first eight minutes. 

Junior Rachel Wagner drew first blood on a feed from behind the crease by Senior Captain Ellie Glasgow.  Senior Nicky Pritchett combined with Junior Olivia Sisson, and then Junior Grace Goettman tallied on an athletic solo move. 

Glasgow netted a nifty crossing pass from Sisson, who then scored herself on a penalty shot.  Junior Hayley Soutter assisted on a goal by Goettman, who completed her hat trick unassisted before Glasgow scored again leading to an 8-0 lead at 17:10 in the half and a time-out called by the beleaguered Highlander squad.
 
Following the timeout, Coach Richard DeSomma made wholesale lineup changes, showcasing the depth of this year’s Saxon team.  The scoring onslaught continued as Soutter scored on a set play from a feed by Senior Margo Swomley and Senior Ann Frances Davis rifled a shot at close range to make the score 10-0. 

The Highlanders broke through on a penalty shot by Freshman Elise Koehl, but the respite was brief as Sophomore Jordan Simonides executed a pick-off, run and left-handed goal. 

Following saves by Saxon Goalie Erin Long and McLean’s Miranda Matheny, the Highlanders scored two more goals off turnovers from Lockhart and Senior Jacki Kleger.  It was left to Freshmen Julia Byrne to finish the half’s scoring at 2:39 with a feed from fellow Frosh Nicole Lee to make it 12-3 at the break.
 
The second half was much the same as Coach DeSomma continued to rotate his team and provide younger players valuable playing time.  Sisson was a dominant presence during the half, scoring early off a half-court set and handling the ball for extended periods of time. 

Simonides scored on yet another deft feed from Soutter and Pritchett opportunistically scooped in a ground ball among a crowd near the crease.  Swomley tossed a goal in off a clever double-clutch move.  Following two scores by Lockhart of the Highlanders, Junior Nikki Dunne tallied to make the score 17-5 with ten minutes left. 

The Saxons were then played good defense and moved the ball around the perimeter on offense.  Junior Ava Mirsadegan scored for McLean and Lockhart completed a fine showing with her fourth goal.  Following an extended display of stick handling and movement by the Saxons, Sisson completed her hat trick with a weaving goal at 3:36 and a Freshman duo finished the Saxon scoring with Maggie Prendergast scoring on a feed from Aubrey Zarella with time running off the clock.
 
Submitted by Peter Mahoney, mimipeter2003@yahoo.com, parent from Langley High School.