Thomas Jefferson's Boys and Lake Braddock's Girls Will Play Today for Virginia Group AAA Soccer Championships

Colonials Will Face Osbourn Park at 1 p.m.; Bruins Will Follow at 3 p.m. Against Cox

Thomas Jefferson's boy's soccer team advanced to today's championship round with a 1-0 semifinal victory over Frank W. Cox.

This is the Colonials first-ever appearance in the title game, which was first held in 1982. The Yellow Jackets appeared in the championship game in 2002 and 1990, but have yet to claim a title.

Lake Braddock's girl's soccer team, meanwhile, advanced to today's championship round with a 2-1 semifinal victory over Mills Godwin. The Bruins will have a rematch against Cox, which they defeated, 3-0, in last year's finale.

"This is our fifth time here in eight years so I feel pretty good about it," Lake Braddock Coach Liz Pike said. "I've lucked out with a lot of talented players ... but it's going to be a game."

Lake Braddock boasts four previous state championships in 2006, 2003, 1989 and 1987. The Bruins were also the state runners-up in 2005 and 1992. Cox 's only other appearance in the championship game came last season.

"It's going to be a physical rematch," Cox Coach Michele Clark said. "They're a good squad, we just have to show up and play. They have the tradition there ... but I think we're a little more prepared than we were last year at this point."

--by Angela Watts

Lake Braddock senior forward Samantha Ciaravino cools off after scoring the Bruins' first goal in their 2-1 victory over Mills Godwin in the Virginia Group AAA semifinals. Thomas Jefferson's boys and Lake Braddock's girls will undoubtedly face more heat--from high temperatures and tough competition--in today's championship games.