Galvin, Pfeifer spark Warriors

By Bart Isley

Published: May 19, 2008

Western Albemarle started a little slow, but once Max Pfeifer got going, the Warriors took control and advanced to the Region II final.
Pfeifer scored a pair of goals and assisted on another during a critical second half run that lifted Western to a 15-10 victory in the Region II semifinal Monday night.
“You have to give credit to Heritage for coming out strong,” Pfeifer said. “But we just kept running them and eventually they got tired and goals started coming easier.”
Western’s offense exploded for a seven-goal second quarter to take a 12-6 lead at the half. The game was deadlocked at 5-5 after the first frame.
Matt Galvin was a big part of the first half run, totaling three goals and an assist before the break. He added another goal in the fourth quarter as Western tried to cement the victory.
Cody Peters led the Warriors defensively with 14 saves in the cage including a number of critical stops in the second half.
“He’s really upped his level of play and he’s really seeing the ball well,” said Western coach Hunter Price. “Cody does a great job of taking away the angles and he’s making the tough saves.”
Pfeifer scored four goals and tallied three assists en route to setting the Warriors’ all-time season scoring record. Pfeifer buried a pair of laser-like shots with both his right and left hands in the top-right corner during the first half.
The senior, who is bound for Notre Dame, became Western’s career scoring leader earlier this season. In both instances, he broke Kenyon College junior Devin Catlin’s records.
“You’re not going to stop (Pfeifer),” said Heritage coach Jason Blake. “And when you get so close to Pfeifer, Galvin kills you because he’s such a physical presence. You can’t leave him for a second because he’ll find enough space to get a goal. Which he did, repeatedly.”
Mack Schwoebel and Quin Sweeney also helped fuel the Western offense. Schwoebel had three goals and a pair of assists while Sweeney posted two goals of his own.
Even after the big second quarter run, Western’s job wasn’t done. Heritage scored three goals in the third quarter to pull within four goals of the Warriors. Senior attackman Dean Stambules led the way in the second half with two of his three goals. Russell East also posted a hat trick for the Pride.
Western kept on notching goals though, with Pfeifer and Galvin each scoring their final tallies in the fourth to keep Heritage at bay.
With just under four minutes remaining and the Pride threatening, junior defender Chris MacFarlane created a critical turnover and Schuyler Wilkerson sprinted up field to clear the ball. From there, Western milked the clock to end the contest.
Western will host Broad Run, who knocked off Salem 20-16 Monday night, in the Region II final Wednesday.