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Wednesday, March 29 -- Western Albemarle outlasted Rockbridge County High School 9-8 in overtime in a captivating girls lacrosse matchup in Lexington.
Taylor Florin scored the game-winning goal with 26 seconds left in the first OT period for the Warriors (4-0) in a rematch of last year's Class 4 state semifinals, which Western had won by a 12-11 count at RC.
But Wednesday's OT winner came only after the 'Cats (1-1) had rallied back from a 7-3 halftime deficit, tying the game on a frenetic sequence at the end of regulation.
RC had a free-position look with 33 seconds left in the second half, but the Warriors forced a turnover before a potential shot. However, RC double-teamed Western goalkeeper Maizey McCarthy behind the cage, and McKenzie Hines won possession back and fed Lily Youngman for a one-time shot that tied the score at 8-8 with just 9.4 seconds remaining.
McKenzie Hines finished with three goals and one assist for RC, while Youngman also scored three goals and Nala Shearer notched two markers. Rachel Hines made five of her seven saves in the second half, limiting the Warriors to one goal in the period.
Annie Alhusen paced the Warriors with three goals, and Reeve Goldstein tallied two goals and one assist.
A pair of goals from McKenzie Hines and Youngman's first marker put the Wildcats ahead 3-2 with 15:06 remaining in the opening period. Western responded by closing the half on a 5-0 run, giving the visitors a 7-3 lead at intermission.
But RC came charging back after halftime. Youngman's goal with 22:42 to play got the rally started, and Shearer scored back-to-back goals -- both assisted by Maddie Dahl from the 8-meter arc -- to make it 7-6 at the 15:25 mark.
Alhusen answered for the Warriors with 9:24 to go, and McKenzie Hines scored with 7:43 remaining to again pull RC within one. Western's stall ate away a good chunk of the remaining time, but a Warrior turnover with just over 90 seconds left set the stage for a wild finish to the second period.
RC dominated on the draw circle, finishing with a 16-3 advantage. But Western won the turnover battle 16-9, and the Warriors held a slight 20-17 edge in shots.
The Wildcats will return to action at Monticello on Monday, April 17, with game time set for 7:15 p.m.
