Patriots cruise past Mustangs

By Ryan Yemen Daily Progress correspondent
Published: April 29, 2008

Since losing to Collegiate a week ago, the Albemarle girls lacrosse team has been taking out its frustration on its most recent opponents.
Last Thursday, the Patriots roughed up Rockbridge County. On Tuesday night, Monticello became the most recent victim of Albemarle’s wrath. The Patriots scored early and often in their 18-1 victory.
“One of our goals was to come in and play crisp today,” said Albemarle coach David Sloan. “We lost that game against Collegiate because we were intimidated. Mentally, we’re trying to get these kids to believe in themselves, to move around, look for back passes, move well in transition, and just be confident throwing and catching.”
Albemarle (10-1) was certainly crisp, holding a 5-0 lead just five minutes into the game. By halftime, Albemarle had doubled its lead.
Attacker Margaret Moss was all over the stat sheet for the Patriots. The senior tallied four goals and three assists in the win.
“Our team is really solid this year,” Moss said. “We’ve got some people who at the beginning of the year, weren’t all that great at catching and throwing, but because of their athleticism, have been able to pick it up.”
After picking up her hat trick in the first half, Moss spent the second setting up her teammates.
“Sometimes it’s a lot more fun to make a play than score the goal yourself,” Moss said.
Three of Moss’ teammates registered hat tricks — juniors Kathleen Frechette and Katie Tubridy and sophomore Courtney Elliott.
“One of things is that [Moss] draws double teams and it opens things up,” said fellow senior Mallory Cain, who chipped in with two goals and an assist. “And I don’t think people realize how good the rest of the attack is.”
For Monticello (2-7), the game was an opportunity to learn from a talented Patriots squad.
“I have a real young team here,” Mustangs coach Elaine Kirby said. “Playing against Albemarle, [my team] can see what they could be, how well a team can play. We’re growing.”
Kirby wants to see her youthful team — which boasts more freshmen than seniors — absorb as much of the game as they can.
“Every game is a learning experience,” Kirby said. “We just have to take the good things out of this game and work on the things we didn’t do so well. I’d say we need to slow it down. But playing as a team is our number one problem.”
Amelie Rives scored the lone Monticello goal with under a minute to play before halftime.
Albemarle has a chance to avenge last week’s loss when Collegiate comes to town on Friday at 5 p.m.
“I think against Collegiate, we want to protect the ball,” Sloan said. “We’ve also been preaching to our kids to not force their shots. When you play a team like Collegiate or Western Albemarle you have to possess the ball.”
Monticello hosts Brentsville on Saturday at 2 p.m.