Stafford field hockey stunned in VHSL Class 6 state quarterfinals

It was a season that Stafford field hockey never wanted to end, a strive for perfection that reached the Class 6 state quarterfinals.

However, the scene following Tuesday's state quarterfinal was a complete 180 from what the Indians were hoping for, one of sadness and shock following a 1-0 loss against Yorktown at home.

"Going into this game, we knew the skill we were going up against," senior Hailey Lemke said. "We knew we were going up against the top dog. Ever since the state tournament started, we told ourselves, this is the state championship game. ... They're going to be our hardest competition."

That proved to be true as Lemke and Stafford (22-1) were pushed to the brink defensively, having to fend off a plethora of shots, long passes and penalty corners.

The Patriots were relentless from the start and eventually got their breakthrough minutes into the second half, forcing the Indians to have to play from behind the remainder of the match.

"I think defensively, we knew what to expect and our defense put the team on their back," Stafford head coach Bryce Barnes said. "They stepped up. They stepped in front. ... Offensively, we did struggle tonight, but not for a lack of trying."

For a team that dominated opposition throughout the entire season, with 16 of their 22 wins coming in the shutout variety, playing from behind was a new, unwelcome feeling for this program, one that had allowed just nine goals in 22 games coming into Tuesday.

Yorktown certainly had its chances, testing Indians goalie Rachel Adel all night, but the junior rose to the occasion and made crucial saves to keep things at a one-goal game.

Stafford had numerous chances of its own, including several crucial penalty corners in the fourth quarter that could have equalized or given it the lead. The Patriots prevented that possibility from becoming a reality.

In the end, it was a night that came down to one goal, one moment that decided who would move on and whose season would be coming to a close. Stafford was the one sent home on its own turf, closing this latest chapter of Indians field hockey.

"We would rather lose with this team than anyone else," Barnes said. "Winning is obviously the fun part, but this team is something beyond just hockey players. They're special and they love each other."

Alex Murphy

on X

Sports reporter