Lady Cavaliers to play for regional title

Published 11:36 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The Lakeland High School field hockey team continues to storm a path to a potential state championship as it plowed through competition in the 4A South regional tournament on Monday and Tuesday.

The Lady Cavaliers advanced to the regional championship game on Tuesday with a 9-0 win over Midlothian High School at the U.S. Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach.

It was clear early what kind of game it would be as Lakeland went up 2-0 within the first two minutes of play.

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Senior forward Summer Parker registered a hat trick, senior back Kasey Smith had two goals, senior midfielder Jamee Albright had two more while senior midfielder Megan Smith and sophomore forward Heather Heuberger each had one apiece.

Senior midfielder Kristen Vick recorded five assists; senior forward/midfielder Alexis Albright, Jamee Albright, Parker and Megan Smith each had one.

Lakeland had 22 penalty corners and 16 shots on goal; the Lady Trojans had none of either. Lady Cavs’ junior goalkeeper Erin Bradshaw registered her 14th shutout of the season.

To advance to Tuesday’s semifinal game, the Lady Cavaliers blitzed through Deep Creek High School in Monday’s opening round, 16-0.

Lakeland head coach Tara Worley only played her starters for one half on Monday. Scoring goals were Parker with six, Kasey Smith with three, Jamee Albright with two, senior forward Kiersten King with two and Alexis Albright, senior back Kelsey O’Leary and Megan Smith with one apiece.

Thursday, Lakeland will face a challenge in the form of Tabb High School, after the Lady Tigers defeated Nansemond River High School 6-1 on Tuesday to advance.

Worley said Thursday’s regional title game is “going to be the battle of two great teams, and I think the girls are ready for the challenge.”

By virtue of winning on Tuesday, Tabb and Lakeland have qualified for the state tournament.

As the schedule gets more challenging from here on out, Worley cited stepping stones which have helped her girls become prepared.

“Some of the big games that we played along the way, the (First Colonials), the Cox-es and the Princess Annes, were all in the preparation of this journey that we’re on right now,” Worley said.

Lakeland (20-0) will face Tabb for the 4A South regional championship game on Thursday at the U.S. Field Hockey National Training Center with a start time of 6 p.m.