Stephen Lewis (slewis@digitalsports.com) here!
It's the state Group AAA girls soccer final from the beautiful complex at Westfield High School in Chantilly.
Mills Godwin, the Central Region champion from Richmond, and Chantilly, the Northern Region champion, are warming up for what should be a spirited final.
The Eagles are a defensive dynamo who topped Frank Cox of the Eastern Region 2-1, while the offensively terrific Chargers crushed Eastern Region opponent Kempsville 3-0.
Things will kick off at 2 p.m. and I'll try to provide the words worthy of the final!
All right, things are about to start and the players are being announced. I'll be down on the field for a while getting some great photos and video, hopefully, so be patient for the first update!
OK, Chantilly leads 1-0 with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
Katie Menzie scored in the 24th minute as her shot slipped through several Godwin defenders and past a diving
Jessie Ashworth.
The first half has been pretty even, a little advantage to Chantilly because of the goal of course, and shots on goal.
Godwin's defense is playing pretty well, holding up to the Charger offense. Godwin has put up some good offensive chances of its own, getting a corner only 1:30 into the match.
The Eagles just missed a golden opportunity with two consecutive corners.
Chantilly continues to pepper the goal, but Godwin gets possession on a handball by
Madyson Brown. But the Chargers take it back and look to have a good opportunity, but Morgan Morris is offside.
4:30 to go in the half. Now 2:45, Brown's taking a goal kick for Chantilly. It's a good one that ends up in a shot that Ashworth stops. 2:00 to go.
And that's the half, Chantilly 1, Godwin 0. The Chargers seem a little quicker to the ball than the Eagles at this point.
Some first half stats:Shots - Chantilly 12, Mills Godwin 4
Corner kicks - Mills Godwin 4, Chantilly 0
Fouls - Mills Godwin 5, Chantilly 4
Saves - Ashworth 5, Lauren Jancuska (C) 0
Second half is ongoing, Becca Haislip just received a yellow card.
But better for Chantilly,
Olivia Colella scored from the just outside the 18 from the left sideline. It curved just over the outstretched hand of Ashworth. It's Colella's second goal in as many games. She's a freshman.
Tough hole for Mills Godwin, 2-0 with 36 minutes to go.
33 minutes now, Godwin's looking a little fatigued under the pressure of Chantilly.
Whoa! Almost an own goal goes to Chantilly. Ashworth was barely able to keep it out of the net. Under 30 minutes left.
Now 20 minutes to go, Chantilly continues to control play. Godwin is getting nothing going offensively.
Menzie just misses a goal from about 20 yards out for Chantilly. A little high.
Godwin STRIKES! Lumpkin finds
Marie Krider on the right flank. Scores easily to cut the lead to 2-1, 12 minutes to go.
Wow, Chantilly just destroyed Godwin's goal with chances, but the Eagles defense and Ashworth keep it from going in.
Cortlyn Bristol went in for a header fullback style but was not able to deposit it. 6:30 left.
Colella just got a yellow card, knocking Ashworth out of the air. She goes out to an ovation from Chantilly's faithful, who disagreed with the call.
Bristol with a pistol of a shot, just high. 3:00 to go, Chantilly up 1.
Chantilly WINS 2-1!
Mills Godwin 0 1 - 1
Chantilly 1 1 - 2
MG: Krider
C: Menzie, Colella
Saves: Ashworth (MG) 10; Lauren Jancuska (C) 0
Records: Mills Godwin (18-4-1); Chantilly (20-2-1)
Final stats:Shots - Chantilly 29, Mills Godwin 6
Corner kicks - Chantilly 5, Mills Godwin 4
Fouls - Mills Godwin 9, Chantilly 8
Offsides - Mills Godwin 1, Chantilly 1
