Purcellville, Va. — Salem High School had the right game plan in their VHSL 4A state semifinal on June 10 in Purcellville: double team University of Virginia-commit, U.S. Lacrosse All-American and LoCo’s leading scorer, Woodgrove High School junior Nora Bowen.
Bowen – who scored only once in the state playoff game – drew defenders all night long, allowing Woodgrove teammates Cincinnati-commit Courtney Olivier and Detroit-commit Emma Leszczak to rattle off 13 goals in route to the Lady Wolverines’ 18-6 win over the Spartans.
“They doubled and tripled our biggest scorer Nora Bowen which was a smart game plan by their coach,” Woodgrove head coach Bob Fuller said. “I just said someone has to step up. I told them to stay relaxed and play their game and they did exactly what I asked them to do.”
After Woodgrove went on a 4-0 run to start the game, Salem showed why they were a state championship contender scoring three of their own and closing the Wolverines’ lead to one.
“Salem called a timeout and gave me an opportunity not to call a timeout. I told the girls this is a dog fight. You have to come out and bring your best game,” Fuller said. “I said they’re a good team, they got here for a reason and you need to defend.”
Luckily for the Wolverines, their net is arguably the best defended goal in the state.
Woodgrove senior Ashley Morris – who was just named the VHSL 4A North zone Player of the Year – protects the Wolverine goal and allowed just six goals to the VHSL 4A South runner up Salem Spartans.
“I think she is the top goalie in the state: absolutely,” Fuller said. “Some Division I school really missed out on her: she’s a great girl, a great citizen, a great athlete, a great team leader. She really steps up when it’s time to play.”
An 8-5 halftime lead quickly expanded for the Wolverines as Woodgrove outscored Salem 10-1 in the second half.
“It means it wasn’t a fluke, that you really have a good disciplined program and that we work hard. It just pays off in the end,” said Fuller who stuck true to a promise after last year’s state title win and continues to rock a diamond stud in his left ear. “It’s hard to get to the top, by try staying at the top: it’s even harder.”
Scoring:
1H 23:47 WG Courtney Olivier
1H 21:41 WG Courtney Olivier
1H 19:59 WG Emma Leszczak
1H 18:51 WG Courtney Olivier
1H 14:53 S Nicole Quinn
1H 13:56 S Lilly Blair
1H 11:29 S Lilly Blair
1H 9:48 WG Courtney Olivier
1H 8:32 WG Emma Leszczak
1H 6:56 WG Emma Leszczak
1H 5:21 WG Courtney Olivier
1H 1:50 S Kayla Winstead
1H :26 S Jordan Hayes
2H 23:05 WG Emma Leszczak
2H 22:56 WG Sarah Pantaleo
2H 21:12 WG Courtney Olivier
2H 16:54 WG Sarah Pantaleo
2H 16:33 WG Taylor Saville
2H 12:16 WG Emma Leszczak
2H 11:27 WG Courtney Olivier
2H 9:41 WG Courtney Olivier
2H 7:48 WG own goal
2H 5:05 WG Nora Bowen
2H 3:06 S Lilly Blair