Viking Sports

Lacrosse – Men

Viking Men Have Busy Week Versus George Mason, Tuscarora, and Woodgrove

By: John Steen and Tim Moore

Varsity Men Remain District Contenders with Decisive Win over George Mason, 19-0: The Vikings enjoyed the friendly confines of Leonard Stadium for Senior Night on April 30th. Pre-game senior honorees for the evening included: Lucas Clark, Donald Devine, Dylan Early, Chris Fiedler, Will Geise, Nicholas Colby Martin, Liz Martin (Mgr), Ian Miller, Hunter Nutter, Greg Regan, and Hope Wiseman (Mgr). During the game, the potent Viking attack took advantage of a youthful Mustang defense early and often to build a double-digit halftime lead. A stifling Viking defense, led by Donald Devine, Lucas Clark, and Zach Allison, caused numerous turnovers and limited George Mason to just a few shots on goal the entire game. In the all- important face-off battle, Valley took 19 of 23 (83 percent). It was fitting on Senior Night that Will Geise led the scoring with 6 goals and 1 assist. Other points leaders were freshman John Skinner (5 goals and 2 assists), sophomore Chase Miller (4 goals), and freshman Sully Warner (1 goal and 3 assists). Adding to the totals were seniors Greg Regan and Chris Fiedler with 1 goal each, junior Robbie Nelson with 1 goal, and freshman Jeremy Klipple with an assist. The Viking goalies had a quiet evening with freshman starter Nick Steen recording 1 save and junior Jim Shanks recording 3, after taking over net duties for the Vikes in the second half.

Vikings travel to Tuscarora and get 1 and ½ games in before bad weather stops play: On 5/3, the Vikings were leading 13-1 very late in the second quarter when Mother Nature decided to put a stop to the contest between the varsity Vikes and the Tuscarora Huskies. Unable to resume play due to lightning, the game was suspended until a later date. Stay tuned for the final results…..

However, the JV Vikes were able to record a road victory over the JV Huskies earlier in the evening, 11-8. In a blow-for-blow type contest, the JV Vikings eventually pulled ahead largely due to securing the edge in face-offs and ground balls won. Points for the Vikings were recorded by sophomore Conner Stift (hat trick plus 1 assist), freshman Austin Moore (1 goal/3 assists), freshman Alex Klipple (2 goals/1 assist), sophomore Myles Sullivan and freshman Mikey Shouse (2 goals each), and sophomore Drew Washington (1 goal). Freshman Jake Fournier recorded 4 saves.

Woodgrove’s revenge: On 5/4 Viking varsity men traveled the short distance across HWY 7 for a rematch with the Woodgrove Wolverines but contrary to their earlier meeting in Purcellville, the Vikes came up just short, 8-10. In an electric atmosphere, the Wolverines jumped-out to an early 2 goal lead which set the pace for the Vikes in the first half. The Vikings found themselves down starting the second half but chiseled their way back into an essentially even contest against the Wolverine squad. The game was very physical and very exciting from start to finish. The outcome was ultimately decided by hotly contested face-off and ground ball battles, key shots vs. missed shot opportunities, and forced and unforced turnovers at each end. Both goalies had exceptional performances. The Wolverines controlled possession in the waning minutes to prevent the Vikes from stealing a Dulles District win on the road. Viking offensive output was as follows: senior Will Geise recorded 4 goals and an assist, whereas sophomore Chase Miller (2 goals) and freshman Sully Warner (1 goal/1 assist) also contributed to the points totals. Freshman Nick Steen logged an impressive 16 saves in goal. The Vikes and Wolverines find themselves fighting for the third spot in the Dulles District standings entering into the final week of regular season play.

Earlier in the week, the JV Vikes dropped their rubber-match against a visiting Wolverine team, 6-8. Having split the first two contests, the Woodgrove JV squad came back to Leonard Stadium looking to avenge their recent loss to the Vikes. In a game in which many could agree that Viking play was sluggish early, the Wolverines mounted a halftime lead. The Vikings played more intensely in the second half and eventually evened the contest late. However, the Wolverines made a few more key plays than did the JV Vikes down the stretch and the game ended with the Vikes on the wrong end of a 2-goal margin. Viking notables included sophomores Conner Stift with a hat trick and Myles Sullivan with 1 goal and an assist. Freshmen Mikey Shouse had 1 goal and an assist whereas Austin Moore contributed 1 goal. Drew Washington (sophomore) and Evan Klipple (freshman) each had an assist. Jake Fournier went the distance in goal recording 4 saves.

Upcoming: Viking LAX men close out regular season play hosting Briar Woods and then they will complete their suspended game on the road vs. Tuscarora on 5/8.

Lacrosse – Women

LAX Lady Vikes in Dulles District Title Hunt at End of Season

By: Mac Shuford

In a busy final stretch, the Loudoun Valley Lady Vikings nearly ran the table winning 3 out of their last 4 games. They capped an 8 game winning streak in the Dulles District against Tuscarora, but followed that victory with a loss to District leader, Woodgrove.

In a District road matchup against Heritage on April 26th, Valley took control of the game from the beginning. The Lady Vikings scored early and often and by halftime, they enjoyed a 12-2 lead. Valley closed-out the second half to secure the win, 19-4. Sophomores Ashlyn DiLoreto and Anna Munford and freshman Maya Ebrahimnejad (one assist) led all scorers with 3 goals apiece. Senior Courtney Halterman and sophomores Sarah Ashworth and Courtney Schollian (one assist) each contributed 2 goals. Senior Payton Boyer and sophomores Corley Simons and Isabelle Graham also added one goal each. Sophomore Kelsey Greene and freshman Haley Shuford split goaltending responsibilities to record one save each on the night.

On April 30th, the Lady Vikings continued their road tour at George Mason High School in Falls Church. Valley again asserted their offensive firepower to control the first half taking a 9-1 lead into the locker room. The Mustangs were able to mount a short-lived comeback in the second half but ultimately fell short and succumbed to the Vikings, 19-7. Sophomore Ashlyn DiLoreto led all scorers (5 goals/ 1 assist) while senior Courtney Halterman and sophomore Sarah Ashworth added 3 goals apiece. Seniors Caitlin Gore (two assists) and Rachel Swan contributed 2 goals while sophomores Courtney Schollian and Corley Simons and freshmen Maya Ebrahimnejad and Lily Hamilton added one goal each on the night. In net, freshman Haley Shuford recorded 7 saves in the first half and Kelsey Greene closed out the game in the second half (2 saves).

On Thursday, May 3rd, Valley hosted Tuscarora in their final home game of the season. The Viking seniors celebrated their distinguished careers with another Dulles District win. Maintaining control throughout the contest, the Lady Vikings eventually walked away with the victory, 19-8. Notables included senior Courtney Halterman and junior Megan Williamson with 4 goals each. Junior Cortney Inman, sophomores Ashlyn DiLoreto and Corley Simons and freshman Maya Ebrahimnejad also added 2 goals apiece. Seniors Payton Boyer and Rachel Swan as well as sophomore Sarah Ashworth tossed-in one goal each. Minding the net were Rebecca Solarzano (senior) and Haley Shuford (freshman), who recorded 5 saves, and senior Caitlin Gore provided outstanding defensive play.

Finally, Valley visited Woodgrove on May 4th for what many considered to be the Dulles District game of the year. In a classic matchup between two great teams having important implications for the District title, the Vikings arrived fired-up and ready for action. However, the young Valley team fell behind early to a lightning fast Wolverine squad and trailed going into halftime, 5-10. After a second half surge, the Lady Vikings eventually fell 9-16. Leading Valley in scoring was sophomore Corley Simons (3 goals), followed by sophomore Sarah Ashworth (2 goals). Senior Rachel Swan, juniors Megan Williamson and Cortney Inman, and sophomore Courtney Schollian added 1 goal each. Freshman Haley Shuford tended the net well recording 10 saves on the night.

Upcoming: Valley closes out the regular season 5/7 at Briar Woods. Notably, Woodgrove goes on to face Loudoun County in a game which could complicate things for the Dulles District regular season title. If County were to defeat the first place Wolverines, the District title (and automatic bid to the regional tournament) would be decided between the top teams by a tiebreaker.

Softball

Varsity Vikings Lose Close One: 1-4 vs. Potomac Falls

By: Beth Richardson

The Viking varsity softball team fell short against the Panthers at home on May 1st. The Vikings scored in the bottom of the 2nd inning after senior first baseman, Allison Pentony, hit a triple which was followed by a line-drive single from senior pitcher Kelsey Richardson. The Panthers then battled-back to score a couple of runs in the 3rd inning. The Viking’s offense reloaded with a single from Kailey Liverman and a double by Pentony, but the Vikes left those two runners stranded. Potomac Falls increased their lead by one when they were able to rally with two outs in the 5th inning and bring another Panther base runner home. In the bottom of the 6th, Pentony singled for the Vikings (leaving her a homer shy of hitting for the cycle), but afterwards the Viking’s bats went cold. The Panthers scored their final run in the 7th. The defensive play of the game was a beautiful catch made on the run by sophomore center fielder, Tamasen Blaylock. On the mound for the Vikings, Kelsey Richardson pitched a complete game striking-out five while giving-up six hits and one walk.

Upcoming: The Lady Vikes travel to Briar Woods and then play Heritage at home on May 8th.

Women’s Soccer

Lady Varsity Vikings Succumb to Improved Potomac Falls and Briar Woods Teams

By: Tim Moore

The Lady Vikings played Potomac Falls to a 1-1 tie earlier in the season and on 5/1 they traveled to Sterling for the rematch. This time, the Lady Panthers proved more potent on offense as they generated several scoring opportunities early using the speed of their forwards. The Lady Vikings couldn’t quite find the right combination to break-down the Panther’s defense and in the end, the Vikings were left with a 0-5 loss. A bit of a morale boost for the Vikings did come mid-way through the second half when junior Kajlie Kennedy was able to get some minutes after having battled injuries throughout most the season. The Vikings’ Ashley Moore (freshman) minded the goal for the match recording 9 saves.

Later in the week, the Lady Vikings returned to Leonard Stadium for the rematch against Briar Woods, a team which the Vikes also tied earlier in the season, 2-2. Pre-game was festive as the Vikings celebrated Senior Night. Honorees included: Katie Carr, Anna Warner, Malia Pownall, and Katelyn Rehovich (Mgr). The game itself saw a stalemate for most of the first half until Briar Woods found their speed on the corners to begin mounting pressure on the Viking’s defenses. The Vikings though played physical in the middle to produce several scoring opportunities of their own. However, it was the Falcons who found the net in the end and the Vikings lost 0-5. Ashley Moore (freshman) minded the net for 80 minutes and recorded 15 saves.

Upcoming: The Vikings next travel to Heritage High School.