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Madison’s varsity girl’s soccer team made a LONG trip to the eastern shore today to play Northampton in the State, Group A, Semifinal.  Madison defeated Northampton 4-1 to advance to the State Semifinals on Friday in Radford.  They will play the winner of the Radford and John Battle game. UPDATE:  It looks like Radford won 5-0, so it should be Radford vs Madison on Friday. But don’t take my word for it, we’ll wait to hear the official stuff.

(I wasn’t there, but was getting text updates.  I was at MCHS this morning for the team’s sendoff.)

Freshman Lydia Jacobs started off the scoring for Madison,  with an assist from sophomore Lindsey Wheeler, to give Madison a 1-0 lead going into the half.  Madison had 9 shots on goal in the first half vs none for Northampton.  Senior Ashley Sealander scored 4 minutes into the second half and Lindsey Wheeler added another goal 2 minutes later to make it 3-0, but Courtney Evans of Northampton scored in 49 th minute to take the score to 3-1.  Senior Rachel Strahan would score later in the half to make the final 4-1.

Here are the brackets for the State Semi’s and Finals. Looks like it’s noon for Madison on Friday.

The quote on the back of their shirts, from Mia Hamm:  “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, the hours of practice, the coaches who pushed you, the teammates who believe in you, and the fans who cheer for you is the little girl who took that first perfect shot. The little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back, PLAY FOR HER.”

MCHS junior Clare Moretz brought home TWO State Championships today, winning the 1600 meters in 5:16:99 and the 800 meters in 2:25:10 in the Virginia, Group A, Track and Field State Championships held at Radford.  If you didn’t know, Clare also won the State Championship in the 1600 last year, so this makes THREE for her.  She was also the Region B Champion in Monday’s Regional meet,  setting a Regional record, and PR, of 5:13:04 in the 1600.  CONGRATULATIONS TO CLARE!!

"File Photo", unfortuneately, I wasn't able to go today.

Congratulations also go out to Lynn Welch who earned All State honors finishing 8th in the 3200 meters with a time of 10:27:36.  CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNN!!

...another "File Photo"...

One little Madison celebration five minutes into the match, then it was pretty much all Mason the rest of the way.  Madison lost to George Mason last night in the Region B Championships 4-1.  Katy Salmon scored for Madison 5 minutes into the match, but Mason’s Hannah Walker tied the game a few minutes later, and then Mason’s Violet Miller scored later in the half to give Mason a 2-1 lead at half time.  Mason’s Leah Roth scored about 20 minutes into the second half, and then again with a little over two minutes to go in the match to give Mason the 4-1 win.  Madison goes on to play AT the Region A Champion, which, if I heard correctly, will be Northampton, on Tuesday.  Don’t know the time, but do know that it’s a LONG trip to Northampton! If Madison and Mason both win their State Quarter and Semi Finals matches, they’ll meet again in the State Championships next Saturday.

Yep, they’re going to States!  First time in history?  I believe so.  It was all Lady Mountaineers today.  Ivy Jacobs scored about 9 minutes in, Samantha Cubbage scored about 4 minutes into the second half on a pass from Lindsey Wheeler that was as pretty as any you’ll ever see, and we all breathed a little easier when Rachel Strahan scored Madison’s third goal (from something like 30 yards out, went off the goalie’s fingertips) with a little over 12 minutes to play.  Once again Madison’s defense was flawless, stopping Clarke again and again….. Madison advances to play George Mason on Friday in the Region B Finals…and probably more importantly, earns a berth in the State Tournament starting next week.  Check out ScrimmagePlay.com later for a story and some action photos.  I’m mostly posting jubilation….’cause I like jubilation….

Yep, Ivy scores 9 minutes in to give Madison a 1-0 lead.

I do believe Ellie saved a goal there...

Rachel scores with 12 minutes to play to seal Madison's 3-0 win.