The Battlefield boys’ lacrosse team gave up the first goal of Tuesday’s Virginia Class 6 semifinal against Madison. The Bobcats didn’t concede another for more than 23 minutes.
Battlefield settled in after the opening goal, controlling possession thanks to its success at the faceoff X. At one point, the Bobcats scored seven straight goals in a run that lasted nearly an entire half.
Madison fought back late, but Battlefield rode its first-half success and a six-goal lead at halftime to a 12-10 home win over the back-to-back state champion.
The Bobcats (19-1) not only advanced to their third state championship game in four years, but they also avenged their loss to the Warhawks in the 2022 Class 6 final. The Bobcats, still seeking their first state title, will face Robinson at 10 a.m. Saturday at Deep Run High in Glen Allen.
Advertisem*nt
After Madison (15-6) opened the scoring early Tuesday, Teegan Louise responded with back-to-back goals to give Battlefield its first lead. Owen George then struck twice in the second quarter as the Bobcats went on a 7-0 run for the rest of the half.
“[The first half] just gave us a great cushion and let us figure some stuff out,” George said. “We could truly go in our sets, get our second subs in a little more, save our starters in case that inevitable push came.”
Will Rubley scored within the first two minutes of the second half to get Madison back on the board, but Louise quickly responded to complete a hat trick and restore Battlefield’s seven-goal advantage. He finished with a game-high four goals.
The Warhawks whittled their deficit from there, scoring twice on man-up opportunities in the fourth quarter and adding another goal to get within two with less than four minutes left. But George scored the Bobcats’ first and only goal of the final quarter a minute later to keep Madison at bay and secure another state championship game appearance.
Advertisem*nt
The Bobcats are confident those previous championship game defeats have prepared them to win the state title this weekend.
“I have two [championship game losses] — I can’t have a third. I’m sick of that,” George said. “You can’t lose that much. You got to win one. So being able to get back, especially beating Madison . . . it’s a perfect story.”
Robinson controlled its semifinal matchup from the start as it beat visiting Deep Run, 12-1, to advance to its first state title game since 2019.
The Rams (21-0) took an 8-0 lead into halftime and added four goals in the second half to secure another win in dominant fashion.
Robinson also entered the postseason undefeated two years ago before falling to Lake Braddock in a regional semifinal and ending its season 19-1. Coach Matt Curran said that experience has driven this year’s team to end its season differently. On Saturday, the Rams will attempt to complete an undefeated season and earn their first state title since 2016.
Riverside advances again
Riverside took down Midlothian, 15-6, in a Class 5 semifinal in Leesburg, earning a spot in the state championship game for a fifth straight season.
Advertisem*nt
The Rams (17-2) led 7-3 at halftime and were lifted by a pair of stellar seniors: Drew Mazzocco scored five goals and added three assists, and Danny Rice scored four times and recorded three assists.
Riverside has won four straight state championships, claiming the Class 4 title in 2019 before earning three consecutive Class 5 championships, most recently against Douglas Freeman.
“We have a great senior class of eight young men. ... They’re going for a chance to win four state titles in four years,” Coach Nick Worek said. “That’s something that’s really, really special, and it’s a credit to them and how they work and lead.”
The Rams will face Kellam at 10 a.m. Saturday at Glen Allen High. Riverside and Robinson boast five state championships apiece, tied for the most in VHSL history.
Loudoun County wins in Class 4
Loudoun County jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as it advanced to the Class 4 final with a 10-7 win over visiting Western Albemarle.
The Captains (15-6) earned their second state championship game appearance a decade after they fell to Albemarle in overtime in the Class 5 final in 2014. Loudoun County will take on Atlee at 11 a.m. Saturday at Charlottesville High.
