Raiders Shock Spartans 1-0 to win Tournament
After a recovery run and practice on Wednesday from the previous night’s District semi-final game, the second ranked Broad Run Spartans (17-1-1) discussed their game plan for Thursday’s District Tournament against the Loudoun County Raiders (16-2-1). The team was confident and ready play. Dulles District co-player of the year, Bri Smith brought up a key point to her team:
“It’s a lot harder to beat a team three times in one season,” said Smith.
Apparently, Smith was right.
Broad Run had beaten the Raiders twice this season before Thursday’s match-up. The first meeting on April 20th was a 2-1 come from behind win for the Spartans in double overtime. The second meeting on May 16th was the game that clinched the regular season title for the lady Spartans, and gave them an automatic birth to the regional tournament.
The Raiders came out strong from the opening kick, and nearly went up on the Spartans in under five minutes. Forward, Kristen Bartsch was alone in front of the Spartan goal when she unleashed a shot that skimmed the crossbar and fell behind the net. This could have been the Spartans wake up call; it wasn’t.
After 23 minutes of play and more than 10 fouls, Spartan Junior, Jessie Cunningham was tackled hard and fell forward, sliding on her stomach toward the goal. The referee awarded Broad Run with a Penalty Kick. All-Met Midfielder, Kimmy Moss took the kick for Broad Run but the shot bounced off the upright back into play where the Raiders cleared it. Moss looked up and closed her eyes and covered her face in desperation.
After 10 more minutes of physical play, Bartsch took a shot from outside the goal box that looked to be saved by freshman goalie Caitlin Hunter. The ball was knocked lose and rolled back into the net to give Loudoun County the lead. All Hunter could do was watch and Bartsch was credited with the goal.
Despite the win on the scoreboard, County suffered a big loss for the next round of the postseason. Kristen Bartsch was called for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second half of the game and was given a red card, making her ineligible for Monday’s regional playoff game.
Broad Run also suffered a potentially devastating loss when Bri Smith was injured and didn’t return to the game. Her status for Monday’s regional playoff game is unknown.
In a heated and very physical match-up, the two teams clashed, knocked heads and fouled hard but eventually the Raiders took home the trophy.
“When we scored first I knew that it was the first time we had led [Broad Run] all season,” said Raider head coach Kirk Smith. “I knew with our defense, we had the capability of winning with just one goal.”
Heading into the regional tournament on Monday, both teams know that they face a win or go home situation.
“We have to rebound from a tough loss,” said Spartan coach, Claire Collins. “In order to win on Monday, we will have to regain our composure, play faster and make better decisions.”
Broad Run hosts Harrisonburg High School on Monday at 6pm. Loudoun County will play away.
