The Thomas Jefferson Girls Lacrosse Team witnessed its season end in heart-breaking fashion, and in the process will not proceed to the Northern Region Playoffs.
Jefferson, which is fourth-seeded in the Liberty District, dropped a pain-staking 13-12 decision to fifth-seeded Madison, in the opening round of the Liberty District Playoffs, on a splendid night in West Alexandria on May 5.
The Lady Colonials, coached by Victor Chen in his third season, led 6-5 at halftime and also led 12-11 late in the contest, with merely 3:09 remaining to be played.
In the final two minute stretch, when the scoreboard clock stays stationary at two minutes, Madison scored two late goals to prevail 13-12.
“Give Madison credit,” said Coach Chen. “Their coach Amanda Counts had them well prepared and they had a good game plan. It kind of hurts not being able to get the girls to the Regionals this season.” In 2006 and 2007, Chen led the Colonials to the Regionals.
The Jefferson attack was spearheaded by: Katie Hempenius (five goals),Amelia Gonzalez (three), Ana Vucelic (two) and Jessie Shelton and Katie Sourbeer (one apiece).
The Lady Colonials conclude their season with an overall record of 10-5 (4-3 Liberty regular season games).
Jefferson defeated District foes Madison, Marshall, McLean and South Lakes during the regular season.
In addition, the “Red, White and Blue” Colonials won five consecutive games in early April at the “South County Stallion Stomp” amongst their six non-District victories. The four Colonial captains included Hempenius, Shelton, Jenny Jones and M.C. Anderson.
“I’ve never been around a closer knit group of girls than the players that we have on this team,” said Anderson, a senior. “We went out fighting tonight. Coach Chen has really turned this program around in the three years that he has been here.”