Osbourn Park shuts out Woodbridge to advance to regional semifinals

By Brian Hunsicker

Published: November 4, 2008

As the rain became steadier on Tuesday afternoon, Osbourn Park’s field hockey team needed steadying of its own. Woodbridge, down a goal in the teams’ Northwest Region Tournament quarterfinal contest, battled back early in the second half.
It was merely a matter of correcting aspects of the Vikings’ game that weren’t quite right in the first half, Woodbridge coach Tiffani Washington said. For a time, the corrections worked; the Vikings maintained possession and threatened to tie the game.
Sensing her team needed to refocus, OP coach Kate Thomas called timeout, reminding her players that their lead was slim. The strategy worked; the Jackets took control and added two goals late in the half to earn a 3-0 win, advancing to the regional semifinals.
“That’s all they needed,” Thomas said, “was just a little push.”
From there, the Jackets were able to keep Woodbridge (9-10) from spending minute after minute in OP’s end, threatening to tie the game. Though it took time for OP to get its offensive chances, those chances eventually came: Terrany Stark scored on a pass from Jessica Lowman with six minutes remaining; a minute later, Lowman scored on a pass from Lauren Stewart, putting the game away.
Stewart was the one who began the scoring, putting OP ahead in the first half. Stewart flipped a shot over Viking goalkeeper Hali Haskins, putting her team ahead.
“Last week, in the [Cedar Run] District championship, we got a one-goal lead and [Liberty] came back and tied it and we had to win it in overtime,” Stewart said. “So, it was kind of nice getting that goal, but we knew we still had work to do. It gives you a little bit of comfort, but you still want that two-goal cushion just in case they come back.”
Though the Vikings end their season on a down note, Washington said she saw good leadership from her seniors. Going forward, Woodbridge has a postseason trip to learn from.
“They’ve had a wonderful season and they did a great job, especially my six seniors, leading the girls this far,” Washington said. “They’ve done an exceptional job.”