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Something to be proud of
After a nine-goal loss (20-11) to Oakton in the state lacrosse final, Chantilly coach Michele Gates could've been frustrated. She could've focused on how her team's deficit at one point swelled to 12, or she could've been upset after losing a second straight championship game to rival Oakton (15-5).Instead, Gates -- normally a bit shy -- beamed with the excitement of a new parent, reflecting on everything that her team had accomplished this season.
“I couldn't be more proud of my team,” said Gates, whose Chargers finished 17-3. “We went out in the consolation game of regionals last year. I'm thrilled with where they came this year. We're graduating a couple of girls, so we're going to have a lot of the same team back.”
At the top of that list is junior midfielder Brittany Griel, who was named the Northern Region's Midfield Player of the Year. Griel notched four goals -- including three in the first 13 minutes -- and an assist during the state final, but according to Gates, even more will be expected of her next season.
“I expect her to get better and I will hold her to it,” said Gates, without hesitation. “She just needs to keep working on the little stuff ... the fundamentals.”
Chantilly will return yet another first team All-Region pick in junior midfielder Katie Stillwell. After missing part of Friday's semifinal win over Albemarle with heat exhaustion, Stillwell recovered enough to contribute three goals against Oakton.
Gates, who was tabbed as the Northern Region Coach of the Year, will lose the services of another talented midfielder in Christina Patten, but a strong, 11-member junior class should help Chantilly buoy its losses.
“I'd like to see us playing on this weekend again next year,” Gates added.
Chantilly got the best of Oakton to end its regular season, and the Chargers followed by bouncing the Cougars out of the district tournament. Behind a nine-goal performance from Oakton's Ashley Kimener, the Cougars got retribution with its 12-10 win in the Northern Region final, and it was anyone's guess as to who would come out on top on a blistering hot afternoon at Westfield High School.
Oakton scored three times to start the contest, but Griel and Stillwell combined for three goals to knot the game at three. Oakton responded with two more three-goal spurts, which were wrapped around Griel's third tally.
Four straight first-half goals inched the Cougars further ahead, entering the break on top, 15-6. The Chargers did little to capture momentum in the second half, despite a fantastic three-goal effort from another returnee, sophomore midfielder Liz Dunwoody.
“Oakton came out and outplayed us,” Gates said. “They definitely deserved the title. Oakton came out ready to win. They're used to this.”
Gates would someday like to follow Oakton's archetype, as the Cougars have now won three straight state titles. But for now, she's just as happy enjoying the moment and focusing on her own kids.
“I'm so proud,” she said. “I'm elated that I get to be part of this program because they're just great girls.”
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