Cavaliers Come Up Short in Chantilly

Having battled to a narrow 9-8 defeat against the 17-1 Chantilly Chargers in this year’s season opener, the W.T. Woodson Cavaliers believed they could win the regional playoff rematch and advance to the semi-finals. 

Although they stumbled out of the gates, falling behind three goals in the first half, the Cavs fought back valiantly to cut it to one early in the fourth period.  Unfortunately for the Cavalier faithful, Chantilly snuck in a pair of late goals en route to the 6-3 victory. 

Connor Wade was sensational in net and his brother Ryan, Joey Coscia, and Patric Valentino each scored a goal in defeat.

Uncharacteristic of many high school teams in a game of this magnitude, both W.T. Woodson and Chantilly came out calm and collected and played with great discipline.  Each team defended soundly while their opponents worked the ball methodically for the open shots, which at a distance were no problem for either keeper. 

The Chargers put on a furious attack on goal late in the opening period, finally breaking the deadlock eight-and-a-half minutes in. Chantilly would have doubled that lead less than a minute later had it not been for an incredible save from Connor Wade.  

There was nothing Wade could do later in the quarter when a cutting Charger scored in front of net. The Chargers put in a laser 90 seconds later.

But the Cavaliers were not going out without a fight. After winning the draw, they looked to pass and possess.  When they finally settled down and worked the ball in the Chantilly zone, Ryan Wade got the Cavs off the mark with a terrific turnaround goal.

A Charger goal just one minute into the second half could have easily been the dagger, but the Cavaliers kept fighting. Although elusive attacker Clayton Wainer was being held at bay by the Chargers' aggressive team defensive, the senior captain was able to set up Valentino who buried it in traffic. Coscia then got the ball in front of goal only to be creamed by a Chantilly defender. 

Symbolic of the Cavalier spirit all night, Coscia responded with a great goal just a minute later.

However, a fluke goal on an unfortunate deflection restored the two-goal cushion for Chantilly, and another late score sealed Woodson’s fate.

Although the Cavaliers would have loved a semi-final rematch against the West Springfield Spartans, whom they beat 8-7 in the regular season, they can rest their heads knowing they gave it all they had against quite possibly the best team in the region.