PREP LACROSSE: Patriots cruise past Mustangs

By Ryan Yemen Daily Progress Correspondent
Published: May 8, 2008

The Albemarle girls lacrosse team wrapped up its regular season at home on Wednesday night.
On the same night that the Patriots honored their seniors, they cruised past Monticello to a 14-3 win behind seniors Margaret Moss and Katie Tubridy, who combined for seven goals.
“Coming off a big emotional victory [against Western Albemarle] last night, we were worried about coming out flat,” said Albemarle coach David Sloan.
The Patriots eased their coach’s concerns early, scoring the first three goals just four minutes into the first half.
“After the first couple of minutes we were able to just go out and have fun,” Sloan said.
The Patriots went up by eight goals in the first half and eventually pushed their lead to 11.
Monticello put together some offense in the second half, getting three goals — two from Amelie Rives and one from Olivia Hurt.
“We played more as team than the last time we played Albemarle,” said coach Elaine Kirby.
Rachel Balsey was tremendous in net for the Mustangs, picking up 11 saves. Albemarle poured on 29 shots on the junior goalkeeper.
It seemed only fitting that the Albemarle upperclassmen did the heavy lifting. Tubridy and Moss and fellow seniors Mallory Cain, Kaylyn Hopkins and Erin Jablonski have been at the very heart of every win this season.
“Our freshman year, we had a really close year on the J.V. team,” said Moss. “I feel it’s the same way with this team right now. Me, Mallory, Katie, Kaylyn, Erin — that whole core group, we really see each other on the field.”
The Patriots (12-2) have been busy in the past week. After dropping a hard-fought game against Collegiate (the team that is responsible for the only two Patriot losses this year) this past Friday, Albemarle rebounded by willing out a tough road win against arch-nemesis Western Albemarle Tuesday.
Western came into the match up with just one loss on its record, which came at the hands of the Patriots back in March.
“We knew going in, that Western had improved from that first game of the year,” Sloan said.
Albemarle had a healthy four-goal lead late in the game, but Western managed to cut the deficit in half with just a few minutes remaining.
Patriots held strong in the final minutes and went on to win 12-10.
“They got us last year, and it was our turn this year,” Sloan said. “We’re expecting that rivalry to go well into the future.”
Tubridy noted that recently the rivalry between the two schools has kicked up a few notches.
“I think it’s become a lot more personal now,” Tubridy said. “Having played travel with a couple of their coaches and players has been a huge part of that.”
The Patriots have a week off before they begin postseason play in the Northwest Region tournament, where it’s win or go home.
“This team has some state intentions in mind,” Sloan said. “We know it’s a one-game elimination tournament. We’ve got to keep as tuned up as possible and just hope for the best.”