At the beginning of the season, McLean High girls’ field hockey coach Summer Hardman and her players put together a list of seven goals that they felt they could accomplish this season. One of the goals on top of that list was to reclaim the Rotary Cup from local rival Langley. On Friday, the Highlanders did just that by defeating their rivals 2-0 at home.
From the very first whistle of the game, it was obvious that McLean was the better team as it controlled the ball and set the tempo early. Langley’s defense held tough throughout the first half, but had a difficult time clearing the ball.
"Our midfield line has such good communication skills and has such a knack for finding the ball and they really know how to pass. They are good at working the ball to the forwards and advancing the ball up field," said Coach Hardman.
Despite Langley’s inability to go on the offense, the defense was holding firm, including stopping McLean from scoring on two early penalty corners. However, with 13 minutes left in the half, senior Carolyn Postol was able to punch one in amidst a scrum in front of the goal following a penalty corner. Junior Olivia Applewhite would score again in the second half to give the Highlanders a cushion, but that’s all they needed to give Coach Hardman her first Rotary Cup.
"Scoring was my main goal today especially because we thought we could keep them from scoring," Postol said.
<b>FOR LANGLEY</b>, this is their first loss in four years to McLean in what looks like a rebuilding year. With three sophomores and eight juniors on the roster, this is one of the younger teams head coach Jennifer Robb has had.
"As a young team, we are still working through some kinks, but they are making strides every day and are getting more opportunities to score," Coach Robb said.
Since the Rotary Cup was installed 14 years ago, the field hockey rivalry has been the best of any sport. After losing three years in a row, the Highlanders’ win ties the series at 7-7.
"We have wanted this win for so long, but we haven’t been able to beat them. Last year we lost awfully, so this year we felt like we needed to win this one," Postol said.
If Mclean is going to accomplish their top goal of a district championship, the next three weeks are vital, as they enter district play. Before the end of the regular season they will have to play Woodson, Marshall, South Lakes, Thomas Jefferson, and Madison all before the district tournament.