Girls Lacrosse: Cougars Cruise to Region Semifinals

The Oakton High girls lacrosse team continues its run for the Northern Region Championship after defeating Hayfield Secondary 20-8 on Thursday. 

The Cougars offense got to work quickly, jumping to a 4-0 start on three goals from Turk — two assisted by Carly Palmucci and one free shot — and one free shot from Tori Anderson.

The Hawks answered with a scoring spree of their own, bring the game within one goal to put the score at 4-3 with 13:24 left in the first half. But after the Cougars called for a timeout, they tacked on five more goals from Jackie Rupp (3), Turk and Alex Revel. 

After the Hawks added their last two goals of the half, the Cougars answered with five more goals. Revel started scoring on an assist from Palmucci, followed by goals from Claire Stikeleather on an assist from Anderson; Palmucci unassisted; Turk on an assist from Palmucci; and an Anderson free shot for a 14-5 halftime score.

The second half was more of the same, with the Cougars continuing to dominate on offense. Rupp started the second half with two straight goals, followed by a free shot from Revel and two goals from Danielle Palmucci. 

The Hawks did not score again until the last six minutes of the game, adding two goals before the Cougars' Catherine Miller tossed one into the back of the net on an assist from Mei Pionke. The Hawks had the last goal of the game to put the final score at 20-8.

The Cougars will play the Madison Warhawks, who defeated them in the Northern Region and Virginia High School League championships last year, at home Wednesday.