The last team Bruton field hockey coach Joe Dougherty wants to face this time of year is Chancellor.
Two-time defending state champion Chancellor has ended the Panthers’ seasons each of the past three years prior to the two teams’ showdown in the opening round of the 3A East Region tournament Monday.
In Dougherty’s final season at the helm of Bruton’s program, he was not ready to bow out to the Chargers a fourth year in a row.
The Panthers scored six minutes into regulation and held on to win 1-0 on Monday.
“Coach [Jim] Larkin is one of the best coaches in the state, so I knew I had to be on my A game in order for my girls to be on their A game,” Dougherty said after the game.
Bruton’s goal came off the first corner of the game. Tori McCurdy collected the entry pass and, noticing Chancellor’s keeper slightly out of position, slotted a pass to Summer Zacharias who swatted the ball into the back of the cage.
The Chargers would go on to earn a 15-11 advantage in corners, but Bruton limited them to two shots in 15 tries thanks largely to the efforts of defenders Taylor Everette and Bri Smith, Dougherty said.
Dougherty and Bruton will look to clinch their first state-tournament berth when the Panthers host Charlottesville at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Swartwood’s Hat Trick Leads Grafton Past Deep Creek
Sydnie Swartwood scored three goals to lead Grafton past Deep Creek in the opening round of the 4A South Region tournament.
The Clippers, who dominated throughout putting 40 shots on goal, led 2-0 at the half before running away with things during the final 30 minutes.
Monica Singer added two goals for Grafton while Lauren Walker, Emma Kirschke and Jaimie Brown each scored once.
Grafton will play unbeaten Maggie Walker in the region semifinals 5 p.m. Tuesday at the River City Sportsplex in Midlothian with a state tournament berth on the line.
Tabb scored seven goals during the final 16 minutes of regulation to run away with a 15-0 win over Churchland.
The Tigers will host their semifinal opponent, the winner of the Nansemond River-Midlothian game, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bailey Field.
