T.C. Williams Field Hockey Misses Regionals
Despite ending their season with an overall winning record, the T.C. Williams varsity field hockey team did not advance to the Regional Tournament.
Fourth-seeded T.C. dropped a 2-1 Patriot District quarterfinal contest to Annandale (October 20 at Minnie Howard) and consequently concluded their season with an overall record of 8-6.
The Titans, coached by William Heresniak in his first season, spotted the visiting Atoms a 1-0 lead before roaring back in the late first half to tie the contest.
Sophomore forward Kelsey Donley put the ball past the Annandale goalkeeper with 3:31 remaining in the first half and the contest was subsequently deadlocked 1-1 at halftime.
Head coach Heresniak commented, Kelsey took a rebound and touched it through and it went through [Annandales] pads.
The Lady Titans had their chances in the second half, but were simply not able to convert.
Scoring the eventual game winner was Annandales Marisa Tordella (9:26 remaining in the second half).
The Titans registered a total of six corners on the night, while Annandale only managed three corners.
T.C. senior goalkeeper Amy Greco played a valiant game, but could have used more support from her offense.
Greco commented afterwards, We have worked hard to get to where we are this season. It has been fun.
In addition to Greco, Heresniak will lose nine other senior starters.
Specifically, defenders Linzi Burstein, Allie Clark and Katie Mulberger; mid-fielders Taylor Garner, Jessica Raugitinane and Leigh Rossi; and forwards Chelsea Corney and Sarah Younes, will all be graduating this year.
Only junior forward Katy Mendez will return for next season from the starting eleven roster.
Pacing the Titans in scoring this season: Corney (seven goals) and Rossi (three goals/seven assists).
Coach Heresniak went on to say, Leigh (Rossi) has been our rock in the midfield all season and Amy (Greco) has been our rock in goal all season.
In addition to four wins outside of the Patriot District this season, the Titans also defeated: Annandale (3-1), West Potomac (3-2), R.E. Lee (2-0) and Hayfield (1-0) in Patriot District regular-season games this year.
Its been a fun season. The girls have all worked hard said the first-year head coach.
In terms of the roster as a whole, only six of 22 players are underclassmen. As a result, coach Heresniak may have his hands full in attempting to lead the Titans to the upper tier of the Patriot District in 09.
Area Football Update
Five of the areas nine high school football teams won this past weekend, which constituted week eight for most of the area schools.
T.C. Williams 18, West Springfield 16
T.C. Williams extended their winning streak to two consecutive games (and three of the past four) in defeating Patriot District favorite West Springfield 18-16.
The Titans, coached by Dennis Randolph in his second season, improved to 3-5 overall (3-2 in Patriot District games).
Despite the fact that West Springfield led 14-6 at the conclusion of the first quarter, T.C. narrowed their deficit to 14-12 at halftime.
Following halftime, the Spartans recorded a safety to increase their lead to 16-12.
However, T.C. senior QB Zach Goehler connected with senior wide receiver Mark Grosser on an 83-yard late third-quarter scoring strike which ultimately decided the contest in the Titans favor.
The Titans’ initial two scores consisted of: senior linebacker Saul Matturi forcing and then recovering a Spartan fumble in the endzone; and senior wide receiver/kick returner Tony Richardson taking a Spartan kickoff 90 yards into the endzone.
Defensively, T.C. was led by a host of players.
There were too many big plays and players to mention them all, but in particular: senior defensive end/linebacker Rashad Quarles recorded 10 solo tackles, three assists and three tackles for losses; senior inside linebacker Brandon Burke recorded eight solo tackles and eight assists; and senior outside linebacker/safety Dominique Copeland recorded five solo tackles and four assists.
Coach Randolph commented on Quarles after the game, Hes not the biggest guy, but he loves to find the football. Rashad does a lot of things that dont show up on the stat sheet. Hes fast and he has really been pressuring the QB as of late.
The three Titan defensive linemen are only sophomores: nose tackle Joseph Massaquoi and ends Deontre Sanders and Jay Whitmire.
With two-plus seasons of eligibility remaining each, Massaquoi, Sanders and Whitmire are improving with each game.
Massaquoi commented, Were faster than most of the offensive linemen that we have been facing and they have had trouble blocking us [lately].
Whitmire also remarked, The pass rush was very key against West Springfield. We applied the pressure and made their QB throw before he really wanted to.
Also adding to the Titans defensive strength against West Springfield were Matturi and junior defensive back Darnell Roy, who recorded key interceptions.
Two key players that were injured for all or some of the game included; senior placekicker Bryan Frank and freshman offensive lineman Aaron Tovsky.
There are all kinds of streaks, but a winning streak is substantially better than a losing streak. In the past, some T.C. teams that have gotten down may have quit, but these players here have never quit this season. They have given forth very good effort, commented coach Randolph (who also previously coached Edison and South Lakes).
On the season, T.C. has now defeated: Lake Braddock, Hayfield and West Springfield.
Episcopal 27, St. Christophers 0
The Episcopal Maroon improved to 4-2 overall with a solid 27-0 skunking of St. Christophers (Richmond).
The Maroon and Black, coached by veteran Mark Gowin, led 20-0 at halftime en route to their non-league victory.
The citys oldest school was paced by: Evan King (18-yard TD run and four-yard TD run), Stefan Graff (12-yard scoring strike from Alex Helm) and Allante Keels (13-yard scoring strike from Helm). In addition, Sam Dashiell successfully booted three of four PATs.
Ireton 14, Riverdale Baptist 20
Ireton dropped to 2-6 on the season with a tough 20-14 setback to Riverdale Baptist (Md.).
St. Stephens/St. Agnes 12, Landon 34
St. Stephens/St. Agnes dropped to 5-2 on the season with a 34-12 loss to IAC rival Landon.
Edison 45, Falls Church 6
Powerhouse Edison, ranked #12 in the latest Washington Post Poll, improved to 8-0 overall with a 45-6 thumping of National District rival Falls Church.
The Eagles, coached by veteran Vaughn Lewis, led 39-0 at halftime before substituting liberally in the second half.
Six seperate Eagles recorded TDs, including Stephon Robertson, who scored twice with TD runs of 48 and 10 yards.
Mount Vernon 36, Centreville 26
Mount Vernon improved to 6-2 overall with a solid 36-26 win versus Concorde District Centreville.
It is relatively rare for a National District Team to knock off a Concorde District Team, but that is exactly what happened.
The Majors, coached by veteran Tom Glynn, trailed the Wildcats 26-22 at halftime.
But Mount Vernon went on to outscore Centreville 14-0 in the second half to prevail.
Three different Majors scored touchdowns in the contest with Kyle Ricks and Brandon OClisham recording two apiece.
Ricks had a 67-yard and three-yard scoring run, while OClisham ran for 40 and 65-yard scores.
Jefferson 28, McLean 23
Jefferson improved to 3-5 on the season with a 28-23 Liberty District victory versus McLean.
The Colonials, coached by veteran Tim Puvogel, have now defeated: Falls Church, G.C. Marshall and McLean after winning only one contest during the 07 season.
West Potomac 0, South County 3
8
West Potomac dropped to 5-3 on the season with a startling 38-0 setback to Patriot District rival South County.
Hayfield 7, R.E. Lee 27
Hayfield dropped to 1-7 on the season with a 27-7 loss to Patriot District rival R.E.Lee.