Ashburn, Va. — It took the Independence High School field hockey team less than two minutes to get on the board in the Potomac District championship game, but it took the next 58 minutes—and another goal—to outlast rival Riverside High School, 2-1, to claim the Potomac District title on October 25 in Ashburn.
“We’re really relieved,” Independence sophomore midfielder Sammie Goin said. “Every time we play Riverside it’s a very mental game, so for us to get over that mental hurdle again is really nice.”
[adrotate banner=”10″]Early in the first quarter, Independence senior forward Carly Van Benten weaved through the Riverside defense and flicked a backhand shot past the Rams’ keeper to give the Tigers the early 1-0 lead.
“Scoring early definitely sets the tone,” Independence head coach Jennifer Darrow said. “We play more as one unit, we pass very well, and play very well together, especially when we have that spark of confidence early on. Our chemistry is what allows us to stay together from the start to the finish.”
That lead would hold for the next two and a half quarters before Riverside found its equalizer.
Having dropped two close games to Independence already this season—and seeking revenge for a loss in the 2021 Potomac District championship game—Riverside would not give in despite falling into the early deficit.
Midway through the third quarter, Riverside sophomore midfielder Amanda Martin connected on a goal off a corner to even the score at 1-1.
The Rams were efficient with their corners, only receiving a few throughout the night, while Riverside senior goalie Ella Bowman proved rather stout, successfully defending more than half a dozen Independence corners throughout the night.
“She’s absolutely incredible,” Darrow said. “She has stopped us time and time again and she’s just a relentless goalkeeper. She has some really great natural ability.”
However, it was a simple play on a corner that would prove to be the difference in the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Goin collected the pass on the corner, dribbled it straight down the middle, and fired a shot past the Riverside defense to give the Tigers the lead, 2-1.
“We just dug deep and made the opportunities we had count,” Darrow said. “Our hashtag for the season is #MakeItCount, and I think our girls came out tonight and made it count, and we were able to get a win in the books.”
Even with a valiant effort by the Rams, the Tigers were too much as they claimed the Potomac District championship and home field advantage through the first two rounds of the VHSL Region 5D tournament.
Independence will host Mountain View in a VHSL Region 5D quarterfinal on October 27 while the Rams will travel to Albemarle from their quarterfinal on the same night. Briar Woods—who won the Potomac District consolation game—will travel to North Stafford for their quarterfinal matchup.
“We just want to take it game by game and better ourselves as a team,” Darrow said. “We’ll just hope for the best and see what we can accomplish.”
Mike Ferrara captured 150+ photos at the game!
Scoring Plays
| Period | Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 1Q | 13:07 | Independence | Carly Van Benten | 1-0 |
| 3Q | 6:49 | Riverside | Amanda Martin | 1-1 |
| 4Q | 5:06 | Independence | Sammie Goin | 2-1 |