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LUCASVILLE — At this point, Lynchburg-Clay struggling to win a district title is more surprising than the Mustangs actually winning one.
But there were no surprises on Thursday.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Lynchburg-Clay (14-0-4) handled its business with relative ease, ousting conference rival North Adams by a 2-0 final in a Division III district final at Valley High School — the program’s fifth consecutive district championship.
“It never gets old. A win always feels great. It just builds our confidence more, it brings us together more and we just have that chemistry where things click,” Lynchburg senior Aubrey Slack said. “This win was super big for us. We were very nervous for this game but we knew we had to come out and get the win.”
Slack scored both of the team’s goals, both of which came in the first half. From there, it was smooth sailing all the way to the end.
Much of that credit belongs to the team’s defense. Coming into the match, it was a unit that had given up just seven goals all season — or 0.39 per game.
That number didn’t change as it continued to suffocate opposing offenses.
“I may be biased but our defense is the best around,” Slack said. “Other teams do say they have problems scoring against and beating us, and I can understand why. Those girls put their lives on the line for the team and everybody plays for everybody. It’s great what they provide for us.”
Slack’s first goal came at the 36:25 mark in the first half and marked the first shot for either team. Her next, effectively the dagger, happened with 8:08 remaining.
From there, LC’s defense went to work and allowed North Adams (11-7-1) to fire off just one shot on target throughout 80 minutes. That gave keeper Caitlyn Collins the night off.
“We have to stay with communication or else, we play off,” Collins said. “Olivia [Van Fleet] saves our butt almost every single game and Lanie [Lunsford] is just so skilled. It’s just everything. We just have each other’s backs. We’re always covering for each other.”
While the Devils bid adieu to their seniors, the Mustangs advance to a Division III regional semifinal at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Zane Trace High School.
That game will be played against conference rival Fairfield. During the regular season, Lynchburg won its only meeting against the Lions by a 5-1 final.
“It may seem a little nerve wracking but we just know that we have to go in with confidence,” Slack said. “We’ve been there before and we kind of know what to expect. At the end of the day, it’s do or die. So we have to do what we have to do.”
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