With a strong finish, the Rockbridge County High School girls soccer team earned perhaps its biggest win of the season at home on Friday night, as the Wildcats defeated Valley District rival Harrisonburg 3-2 in Lexington.
With the victory, the Wildcats improved to 6-4-0, both overall and in the district, and avenged a 5-1 road loss to Harrisonburg (5-4-2 overall, 5-2-1 district) on April 15.
RC head coach Danny Wheeler said the Wildcats’ victory in the rematch helped RC’s chances of qualifying for and improving their seeding for the Region 3C tournament. “It was huge as a moral victory, as well as for points in the region,” said Wheeler.
The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Lydia Kendall converted a penalty kick. “It was great for our team to score first,” said Wheeler.
The Blue Streaks tied the game 1-1 later in the first half and took a 2-1 lead in the second half, but the Wildcats battled back. Madelyn Jones scored for RC to tie the game 2-2, and she scored the winning goal on an assist from Kendall.
In goal, RC sophomore Caden Marshall made three saves.
Wheeler said he was proud of the Wildcats’ resilience in what was “a great test for the team.”
“To win at home was more special,” added Wheeler.
WM 7, RC 0
Earlier in the week, the Wildcats suffered a 7-0 road loss to unbeaten William Monroe (13-0-0, 10-0-0) on Tuesday of last week in Stanardsville.
Wheeler said the Dragons, who had beaten RC 5-1 in the Wildcats’ season opener on April 4 in Lexington, are “one of the best teams in the state.”
Marshall had a strong game in goal, making 14 saves, but she couldn’t stop the WM attack.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play host to East Rockingham last night and will visit nondistrict rival Staunton on Thursday before returning to district action at Turner Ashby on Friday and playing host to district foe Rocktown on Tuesday. For their final home game of the regular season, the Wildcats will play host to Staunton next Wednesday, May 21. Before the varsity game, the Wildcats will honor their six seniors: Jones, Kendall, Emily Boling, Brooke Eichelberger, Sofia Smith and Madeline Swisher. All nights are scheduled to start with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m.
HARRISONBURG’S MOLLY Ludwig (22) tries to keep the ball away from RC senior Lydia Kendall, who scored one goal and had an assist. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
RC JUNIOR defender Karla Macedo traps the ball with her chest as teammate Madeline Swisher watches. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
