This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Madison Too Much for Marshall in Liberty District Semifinals

Warhawk lacrosse takes early lead, cruises to 19-9 win

Madison's Carly Frederick scored all five of her goals in the second half and added four assists to keep the Marshall Statemen at bay and help her Madison Warhawks earn a 19-9 victory in the Liberty District girls lacrosse semifinals.

The win sets up a rematch in the championship game with Langley on Friday. The Saxons represent the Warhawks' lone loss this season. The Statesmen, meanwhile, have the week to prepare for the first round of the Northern Region tournament, where they will face the runner-up of the Concorde District title game. 

The Warhawks jumped out to an 11-4 halftime lead after a sloppy opening on a field slicked with rain. Though Marshall was able to play even for most of the second half, the quick-striking Madison offense eventually proved to be too much to handle. The final margin was more comfortable than the 14-10 decision won by Madison six weeks ago.

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"They supported each other better than they did earlier in the season, so their mistakes didn't have as much of an impact," Madison head coach Amanda Counts said. "I think they were focused. They had a goal in mind and kept after it."

Melissa Kellan added five goals, Kattie Kerrigan scored four times and added an assist and freshman Sigourney Herrink made 13 saves to give Madison its sixth victory by a double digit goal differential this season. 

Find out what's happening in Viennawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Despite the loss, Marshall's difficult regular season schedule should prove its worth in the regional tournament. The Statesmen beat Concorde top seed Centreville 7-5 during a spring break tournament in Orlando. Head coach Nicholle Depaz Clinton described that trip as a season-changing experience, and it helped Marshall win a school record 11 games this season.

"I think everyone's grown a little bit this season, I'd hoped we'd grow a little bit more," Depaz Clinton said about Friday's loss. "But you look at the Marshall schedule and we've played some amazing teams. I hope if we get the opportunity to see [Madison] again, we can give them another challenge."

For Madison, a rematch with Langley could also prove to be a preview of a game deep in the state tournament. Counts believes this year's team is just as purely talented as last year's undefeated edition, but is still seeking to replace the leadership of 2011 All-Met Player of the Year and two-time First Team All-American Allison Hahn.

"Talent-wise, I think we are equal to where were were last year," Counts said. "What we're working on building is the leadership component - setting a goal and having a way to communicate to the team that this is the direction we're moving."

As for the district championship game, Counts doesn't plan on changing anything from the teams' first meeting.

"[We'll do] nothing different," she said. "If they want it, it's theirs to grab."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?