Third Time's A Charm In Madison Girls Lacrosse Quest For District Title

After two years of asking what could have been, Madison finally learned what it feels like to hold a Liberty District championship banner. And with a roster full of  freshmen and sophomores, it may be a while before anyone else gets the chance to do the same.

In a re-match Thursday night of last year's championship game, the Warhawks found their trademark fast pace late in the first half,  scoring a staggering 15 consecutive goals in a 17-4 win over Langley -- a victory that left the Saxons in shock at a game they had once controlled. 

Allison Hahn and Alex Condon each scored five goals  – Condon’s third looking like a candidate for goal of the year – and Katie Kerrigan added three  as Madison exploded for five goals in the final three minutes of the first half before putting the pedal to the floor in the second.

The Saxons used early domination on draws to set up prolonged possessions, keeping the vaunted Warhawk offense at bay for much of the first half. Langley's Hayley Soutter scored twice and  the Saxons never trailed as they built a 4-2 lead, but Madison goalkeeper Taylor Rivera-Silva prevented the hole from getting any deeper with a series of highlight reel saves. Madison head coach Amanda Counts praised the energy those saves created, but said she had confidence the girls would bounce back regardless of how wide the scoring gap was.

“I didn’t panic, I was just hoping they would have turned it on a little sooner,” she said. “I think they would have found a way to climb back. If they had dug themselves a hole they would have worked to get out of it. I think it definitely helped the morale and for us to really get into the flow of our momentum.”

Just as the game was starting to resemble the teams’ first meeting – – Hahn drew the Warhawks within one with a goal off a direct shot, and Condon took the ensuing draw straight to the net to even the score at 4-4. As Langley attempted to run the first half clock out, Hahn intercepted a clearing attempt by Langley goalkeeper Erin Long and found Samantha Babbitt for what would prove to be the game winner. Condon and Hahn again struck in the final seconds to give Madison a three goal advantage heading into the break.

Despite stepping into a position of veteran leadership as only a junior, Hahn says she had plenty to learn from after two consecutive title game losses.

“We all get along so well, it just felt natural,” she said. “I’ve seen all the leaders that have been above me for the last four years, and they were really good role models for me.”

Carly Frederick and Kerrigan opened the scoring early in the second half before Condon went behind the back from across her body – a move known around lacrosse as an around-the-world – to make it 10-4. It was becoming apparent that the Saxons would not have an answer.

“It was just instinctual,” Condon said of the move. “I knew I wouldn’t have a shot with my left hand, so I thought I might as well go all out.”

The mounting lead didn’t stop Rivera-Silva from continuing to make save after save, cutting Langley possessions short and fueling fast breaks heading the other way. The freshman finished with 11 saves.

For Counts, and has come up just short year after year despite an undefeated regular season last year, Thursday’s win finally brings some closure.

“It just felt like there were open ends,” Counts said. “Our definition of a perfect season hadn’t been met yet and we wanted something a little more permanent.”

A district title, of course, is just the beginning of what could potentially be a deep run in the Northern Region and state tournaments.

“I wouldn’t be upset to get to a state championship, so that’s where I’d like to go,” Counts said. “This is step one of three.”