Woodson Women Win the Region

The Woodson girls soccer team continued their great postseason run with a hard fought 1-0 victory over the explosive McLean Highlanders Friday night.

Erin Harvard nailed a 35-yarder that dipped just under the bar for the game’s only goal. Up against one of the region’s best attacks, the Cavalier defense answered the call, and backup keeper Marlee Stynchula came up with one big save after another to preserve their fourth consecutive shutout victory.

“It’s a really nice feeling,” said head coach Warren Williams, who won two regional titles with Centerville before coming to Woodson three years ago. “These girls have done everything I asked of them, and even today, when we didn’t play our best, the hung in there and pulled out the win.”

Although Harvard scored on the deep blast in the seventh minute, much of the first half was controlled by McLean, who used speedy dribblers and the give-and-gos up the middle to get into the final third. But that is where the Cavalier defense shined.  Each time McLean looked to get into the box, the back four shut it down. And every time they went for the long range effort, Stynchula was right where she needed to be to make the save.

“With a team like McLean that looks to get in behind, you have to keep them in front of you,” Williams said. “We came in with the plan to force them into outside shots, and the girls executed it very well today.”

The Lady Cavaliers had a couple chances to extend their lead on the dangerous long throws of Anna Brauch, but could not convert. McLean began to pick up their intensity as the second half progressed, and were able to create more shot opportunities. Unfortunately, for the McLean faithful, Stynchula was there every time, whether it was getting in front of a shots from distance, claiming balls in the air, or scooping up a long thru balls. Stynchula, who also has six goals on the year, was filling in for first-team All-Region keeper Jessica Ferarri, who was ill.

“We are extremely blessed to have not one, but two great goalies who can take over a game,” Williams said. “Marlee is so cool and calm, yet she takes control and runs the defense.”

With the win, the Lady Cavaliers will host the first round of next week’s state tournament, and coach Williams sees no reason they can’t continue their winning ways.

“We have a lot of experienced girls who have been around each other a long time,” he said. “When they play off each other and attack from the wings, we are a really good team.”