Virginia Girls Lacrosse: Win Puts Madison On Top

In a thrilling and bizarre contest decided in the last few seconds of the game, the visiting Madison High School (8-1, 6-0), escaped with a 12-11 victory over the powerful Stone Bridge Bulldogs (9-3, 4-2).

The win keeps the Warhawks undefeated in the Liberty District, making the team poised to take the No.1 seed as it enters the district tournament Friday.

Traveling to Loudon County on a cold and drizzly Monday evening, the Warhawks were at a decided disadvantage on Stone Bridge’s muddy, grass field – a surface that was familiar and comfortable territory for the home team Bulldogs.

Initially, Madison appeared out of synch on the sloppy field and trailed the Bulldogs 7-5 at halftime. In a hard fought and physical game marked by numerous fouls and yellow cards on both sides, Stonebridge extended its lead to 11-6 with just 9 minutes remaining.

After a time out by head coach Amanda Counts, the Lady Warhawks returned to the field and took control of the game.

The momentum shifted in the Warhawks favor for good when the Bulldog goalkeeper was tagged with a rare yellow card for slashing Madison's Kierra Sweeney as she drove for an uncontested goal.

After the penalty was assessed, Sweeney responded with a free shot goal into the open net. A fired up Madison team maintained draw control for the remainder of the game and scored quickly on the next five possessions.

Katie Kerrigan scored the winning goal with just a few seconds left in the game.

Kerrigan and Sweeney paced Madison’s scoring attack with 3 goals apiece. The Warhawks also got goals from Sam Babbitt (2 goals, 3 assists), Maddie Renshaw (2 goals), Erin Callahan (1 goal, 1 assist) and Carly Frederick (1 goal). Alex Condon chipped in with 2 assists. Rachel Brennan and Maddie Roberts were relentless on defense and goalkeeper Sigourney Heerink notched 11 saves, including several spectacular stops toward the end of the game.

The Warhawks’ final regular season game is at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Thomas Jefferson at home.

It’s senior recognition night for Erin Callahan, Carly Frederick, Melissa Kellan and Taylor Rivera-Silva, who will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.

Unless Madison loses on Wednesday, it will be the No.1 seed headed into the Liberty District tournament, ahead of Langley (6-1) and Stone Bridge (4-2).

The Madison girls lacrose team contributed reporting to this story.