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WAVERLY – Coaches always preach to play through the whistle. Lynchburg-Clay’s Aubrey Slack hears that message loud and clear.
By doing just that, Slack was able to provide the spark her Mustangs needed on Thursday to earn the program’s sixth consecutive district championship.
Late in the first half, Olivia Van Fleet made a spectacular run from the defensive third to the right side of the box, where she sent a low cross that was deflected, leading to Slack out-hustling everyone to the ball and scoring with 2:34 to play in the half to break a scoreless tie.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
Throughout the opening half, neither team was able to make a serious push on the opposing backline as through 30 minutes, both teams had only released two shots each.
The best early opportunity came for the Mustangs (11-6-2) off a corner kick, where their shot had beaten the goalkeeper. But Fairfield’s Landry Teeters was in perfect position to save the shot off the goalline and maintain the scoreless tie.
However, as time moved forward, so did the attack of the Mustangs as they continued to pressure the Lions’ defense and force goalkeeper Claire Newkirk into multiple tough saves.
A clearance from Fairfield ended at the feet of Van Fleet, who quickly dribbled upfield and into perfect position for the cross to set up Slack’s key finish.
“I knew coming out here that this was going to be a tough game,” Slack said. “Even in season, it was a tough game. But I knew Fairfield was going to be a completely different team in the tournament. So I knew I had to take a big step up. It was so tight in there, I just knew I had to put the ball in the net, however I had to do it.”
Slack’s goal gave the Mustangs momentum as they headed into the halftime break, but it also opened up the field and forced Fairfield into attack mode.
While the Lions (13-5-1) pushed forward behind Ava Hooper, Emerson Zink and Rilee Quickle, the Mustangs’ defense was able to quell any serious chances moving forward.
PHOTOS: Images from Lynchburg’s district title win over Fairfield
The defense, led by Van Fleet, Addie Downing, Audrey Barry and freshman Lily Layne, along with goalkeeper Allie Waits, proved why they are considered one of the stronger units in the Southeast District, showing excellent communication and teamwork to maintain the shutout — their 10th of the season.
“Our defense is the main part of our game and it always has been,” Downing said. “A lot of our games have been shutouts. We have a great back line and we’ve got a great goalie. They all did wonderful tonight.”
With the field starting to open up, it gave more passing lanes for the excellent Mustang attack, which led to a variety of chances.
Newkirk did everything she could to keep the Mustangs out of the net, but a misplaced pass in the defensive third gave the senior keeper no chance.
The ball landed right at the feet of Lynchburg-Clay’s Caitlyn Collins in the middle of the box. Once at her feet, Collins had her choice of where she wanted to shoot, ultimately choosing inside the right post for a goal with 16 minutes to play.
With a 2-0 lead, the Mustangs began to feel yet another district title within their grasp and wanted to put the game away. A steal and a deep shot from Slack appeared to be heading for the net, but Newkirk made another acrobatic save to force the ball over the crossbar leading to a corner kick.
On the ensuing corner, the ball found Lynchburg’s Caraline West and the sophomore placed it into the strings to make it 3-0 Mustangs with 14:10 to play.
The Lions were playing without leading scorer Vivian Henninger, and their attack was unable to break the Mustangs’ backline — although a deep shot from Meri Jackson in the closing minutes nearly put them on the scoreboard.
Despite the loss, Newkirk was outstanding in her final game, finishing with a game-high 11 saves.
While Fairfield ends their season, the Mustangs (11-6-2) advance to Tuesday’s regional semifinal against Minford, a 6-0 winner over Eastern Brown.
That game will be played at 7 p.m., Tuesday night at Chillicothe’s Herrnstein Field.
“It’s just as exciting as the first time [they won a district title],” Slack said. “We always know that as soon as we step out on this field, it could be our last time. So we always have to give it all we’ve got.”
“We have to stay intense for the whole 80 minutes [on Tuesday],” Downing said. “We can’t just do that in parts.”
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