Wow – That’s the one word that can sum up tonight’s play by the FHS JV and Varsity GLAX teams.

First some background – the past week and a half or so at practice I heard nothing but:  “What are you wearing for prom? Where are you getting your nails done?  Coach we can’t practice late tonight, I have a dress fitting!! Coach, what do you think of this dress? Coach do we have to do stick check practice, I might chip a nail!!  Are we really running today?”  Also, why do boyfriend issues always raise their heads around prom?  Yes guys, after what I heard we probably are all jerks…  So you can see where most everyone’s head was – definitely not on Lacrosse.

In fact I thought everything would clear up this week then I heard those two magical words – GOLD CUP – so I knew we would be talking about hats and dresses again for the annual Warrenton horse races…

Basically, practices were – um – trying this past week.  Now, to the games….

JV started out by running the ball down the field and putting the ball right into the back of the goal…  Hmmm, I thought - that was a good start.   Then again and again…  Then they actually started passing the ball around with the same result:  GOAL.  Defense was outstanding – nothing better to see your goalie bored during the game.  Our halftime talk was interesting – everyone laughing, smiling and then someone said:  “See coach, we were listening to you at practice.”  I, basically, had nothing to say at halftime other than, “Keep doing what you’re doing!”  Well, they did and won the game 15-1.  OUTSTANDING!!

Then it was Varsity’s turn…  They took the field with a determined look in their eye.  We knew Culpeper County had already beat Kettle Run and Eastern View so we knew we were facing a good team.  The game went back and forth for the first half – everything seemed pretty equal and the girls were more determined than ever.  CCHS had good size, speed, excellent shooters and played very well together and with around 8 minutes to go in the game I was looking at a 7-11 deficit; two of my girls in the penalty box and CCHS on the offensive side of the field.  For those next few minutes I just knew CCHS was going to build on their score, but the girls kept them out of the goal and when my two defenders ran back on the field we got the ball ran it down field and scored.  Then again… and again…  All of a sudden we were tied 12-12.  Then with under a minute left CCHS scored again with a mere 15 or so seconds on the clock.  So what did our girls do – they got the draw and scored to tie it up leaving 3 seconds on the clock and ultimate overtime. 

If you thought that was outstanding, watching them go into a three minute overtime with the new rule – first one who scores wins – was about to raise the bar.  We got the draw, took it down field and one of my little freshmen went in for the score only to be fouled.  So there she is, 14 years old standing on a hash mark waiting for the whistle to blow surrounded by CCHS girls.  Well, the whistle blew and the ball flew by the goalie into the back of the net.  PRICELESS!!  Girls screaming..  me jumping up and down – which I’m sure was a site to see – and the thought:  I think we just became a team….

So proud of all my girls!!!  Yeah, this is why I coach.