There was never a doubt that the game would come down to one final possession. It could not happen any other way when Oakton and Robinson’s girls lacrosse teams meet.
Twice before this season the Cougars and Rams have played games decided by a single goal. It happened again in Wednesday’s Northern Region championship game at W.T. Woodson.
Senior midfielder Megan Doyle tied the game on a free position shot with just 39 seconds remaining and senior Mary Dunleavy followed with an overtime goal that eventually lifted No. 3 Robinson to a 9-8 victory over No. 2 Oakton.
It is the first region title for the Rams (15-2) since 2003. The Cougars (14-3) lost in the region championship game for the third year in a row.
“It’s a great feeling to have won, but the celebration stops here,” said Dunleavy, who also assisted on Robinson’s first goal with a pass to her sister, Megan Dunleavy, a freshman. “Now it’s back to work because we know we could play Oakton again for a state title.”
Neither team led by more than two goals. Oakton scored the first two goals of the game before Robinson answered with three straight goals, including two by senior midfielder Katie Delaney. Oakton sophomore midfielder Ashley Kimener missed much of the first half with ankle and quadriceps injuries before returning for the second half.
The Cougars failed to reach double digits in goals for only the fourth time all season.
“You can never focus on one player with them because there are so many girls who can hurt you,” said Robinson senior defender Sarah Hertig. “They have a tough midfield transition so you have to communicate as a defense.”
The Rams led, 6-4, with just 12 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the game after Megan Dunleavy’s second goal of the game. But Oakton, helped by several critical saves from sophomore Tory Morgan, responded offensively with a free position shot from junior attack Victoria Cable and a goal by junior midfielder Katie Berkel. Both teams took turns nursing a one-goal advantage during the final five minutes. An Oakton turnover gave Robinson one last chance in regulation, where Doyle tallied on a free position to tie the score at 8 and set up the overtime victory, Robinson’s second straight after a 12-11 triple-overtime win over Loudoun Valley in the semifinals.
Game notes
» Robinson won the first meeting between the two teams, 7-6, on March 27. Oakton returned the favor on May 12 when it beat the Rams, 12-11, in the Concorde District tournament final.
» The Virginia High School League has sanctioned an official Group AAA state tournament for both boys and girls lacrosse this season. Both Robinson and Oakton will host state quarterfinal games on Tuesday.
» A combined six players from both teams were selected first-team All-Northern Region, including Robinson senior attack Mary Dunleavy, who was named the region’s player of the year.
