Madison's Playoff Run Ended by Oakton

In the days prior to a semifinal clash with the reigning state champion Madison Warhawks, Oakton girls lacrosse coach Jean Counts tried to convince her players that 2012 was a different year for both teams, and that a pair of nine goal losses in the 2011 region and state title games had no bearing on what Thursday's result would be.

On Thursday night it appeared the Cougars took heed of the advice, avenging last year's losses with a 12-10 victory, both killing Madison's chances of repeating as state championships while also handing the team just its second loss in the last 15 months.

After storms suspended action on Wednesday, it was the Warhawks who came out firing on Thursday night. Melissa Kellan scored four first-half goals to stake Madison to a 6-4 lead, but it was nearly all Oakton after that. A 5-1 run starting around the 10-minute mark of the first half turned a two goal deficit into a two goal lead heading into the break.

After that, the Cougars were able to slow things down and played an even second half to preserve the win. Northern Region Offensive Player of the Year Carly Palmucci played a key role in what proved to be the decisive push, but deflected attention to the defense and goaltending.

"We needed a spark and we needed the defense to step up," Palmucci said. "The defense stepped up big time. Defense wins championships and they stepped up big today, especially Emily [George] in the goal."

Katie Kerrigan pulled Madison within one with just over 15 minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Warhawks would get. George made two of her nine saves over the next seven and a half minutes to keep Oakton in front before Jackie Rupp ripped a high shot past Sigourney Heerink with 7:26 left. As Madison was forced to up the pressure, Kelsey Clarke split a double team and found Alex Revel open in front of the net for Oakton's last tally. Julia Kehoe added a final goal for Madison, but George made another pair of saves in the waning seconds to close things out. 

Kerrigan, Kehoe and Kierra Sweeney each scored twice for Madison, and Heerink made 11 saves. Palmucci, Clarke and Rupp had three goals apiece for Oakton, leading a senior class that accounted for all but one goal on the stat sheet. While Counts praised the efforts of her younger players, the experience of a roster with 11 seniors was invaluable.

"Our seasoned players are just a year better, they're a year more experienced," said Counts.

"Last year [Madison] they had their seniors and that was their big deal. Now it's our year," Palmucci said.

George, who was snubbed from All-Region consideration, held the Warhawks to their lowest offensive output since 2010.

"It feels amazing," George said. "I don't even know what to say. It's such a relief because this is our biggest opponent. From now on it's going to be a piece of cake."

While that may be a bold statement considering the Cougars' next opponent, Langley, is the only other team to beat Madison this year, George's play against the Saxons in an early season meeting may back up the claim. George held Langley to its lowest scoring total (10) until the Saxons' 7-6 win over Centreville in the other semifinal on Thursday.

A win on Friday would give Oakton home-field advantage in the first round of the state tournament, which starts Saturday, June 2. The Cougars can win their first regional title since claiming two in a row in 2007 and 2008, and will be looking to bring home their first state championship since winning three straight from 2006-2008.