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A 19-day layoff from competition didn’t seem to bother the Rockbridge County High School girls lacrosse team, which returned to action with a resounding 18-1 win over previously unbeaten Monticello in Lexington on Monday of last week.
Three days later, the Wildcats would improve to 3-1 with another impressive victory, rolling by Jefferson Forest 19-3 on the road.
Last Monday, Nala Shearer totaled seven points on four goals and three assists to lead the way for RC against the Mustangs, who fell to 4-1. Josie Caldwell added three goals and one assist for the ’Cats, while Lola Mulitalo also scored three goals and Maddie Dahl tallied two goals and two assists.
The Wildcats’ previous game was a thrilling 9-8 overtime loss at home to Western Albemarle back on March 29 in a rematch of last year’s Class 4 state semifinals. Competing in that high-level contest right before the layoff – a pause caused by a combination of the school’s spring break and a handful of postponements – gave RC a chance to hone some things during a long run of practices, especially with the hope of making another extended postseason run later this spring.
“The Western game was perfect timing, because it showed us some flaws with our offense,” RC head coach Susan Nye said. “We’ve been using the practice time pretty wisely, with trying to refine some of our plays – making sure they’re more fluid and more efficient.
“We’re trying to prepare more for the end of May and June,” Nye added.
Monday’s game also featured a career milestone, as McKenzie Hines collected her 100th varsity draw control. The senior midfielder finished with seven draw controls, helping RC to an overall 14-5 edge on the draw circle, and she also scored a pair of goals.
“She’s our leader on the field,” Nye said. “We’re able to start a lot of times on offense because of McKenzie. She’s just a natural with her wrist strength, and just being able to put the ball in certain places.”
The Wildcats hardly showed any signs of rust, sprinting out to a 9-0 advantage inside the opening nine minutes and leading 13-0 by halftime.
The 8-meter arc got the ’Cats going, with three of their first four goals coming on freeposition shots. But then the settled offense really started clicking, as RC reeled off eight straight assisted goals prior to halftime.
While the Wildcats showed off plenty of depth and balance on attack – nine different players registered at least one point in the game – Shearer was the star of the night.
“I think her confidence, and just her ability around the cage – she’s a natural anywhere within that three-to-four meter mark,” Nye said of her junior attacker. “She places the ball really well, and she’s an incredible feeder.”
Kendall Gibson scored the lone goal for the Mustangs on a free-position attempt early in the second half, while Campbell Murray made five saves in goal on the night.
Lily Youngman tallied two goals and one helper for RC, and Halina Homiak registered one goal and three assists. The Wildcat defense also forced 18 Monticello turnovers, including two caused turnovers apiece for Dahl, Mulitalo and Jaden McCoy. Rachel Hines recorded five saves for the ’Cats.
RC 19, JF 3
RC then cruised past Jefferson Forest 19-3 on the road on Thursday evening.
Shearer had another impressive night, racking up 10 points on six goals and four assists. Mulitalo scored four goals, Dahl had three goals and four assists, and McKenzie Hines totaled three goals and seven draw controls.
Rachel Hines posted another strong performance in goal for the Wildcats, recording seven saves and clearing the ball at a 96 percent rate. Libba Erskine tallied a team-high four ground balls, while Dahl, McCoy, Mulitalo and Lexie Polly scooped up three apiece. McCoy also caused four turnovers from the Cavaliers (4-6).
RC was scheduled to take on Patrick Henry in Lexington on Monday. The Wildcats will travel to William Byrd for a 5:30 p.m. contest tonight before heading to Christiansburg for a 6 p.m. start time on Thursday. They’ll start the month of May with a pair of home nights, Monday against Franklin County and next Wednesday, May 3 against Salem. Both nights will start with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity contests at 7:15 p.m.
