Both Northwest soccer teams have advanced past the first-round in the post-season after wins in Jagland on Thursday evening.
The Lady Jags, who came into the first-round meeting with a record of 8-4-1, faced a Gaithersburg team which had a record of 8-6-1 in the first round. When the two teams played each other during the regular season, the Jags squeaked out a 1-0 home victory back on September 25.
On Thursday night, the Jags were led by senior Lexi Halem who had both goals in the 2-0 victory. Halem’s brace came in two parts, one in each half to allow the Lady Jags to move on the post-season. Senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Dold earned the clean-sheet play-off victory keeping Gaithersburg off the scoreboard.
The Lady Jags advance to play the top-seed in their division, the 9-3 Wootton Lady Patriots on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Wootton has been a thorn in the Lady Jags paw over the years, with Wootton winning the last meeting 4-1 back on October 5.
The Patriots were also responsible for knocking the Lady Jags out of the post-season last year handing Northwest a 3-2 loss in a second-round game. Two years ago, Wootton and Northwest faced each other in the second-round of the playoffs, which the Jags won 2-1 in overtime.
Once the girls had finished, the Northwest boys took on rival Quince Orchard in a first-round playoff matchup. The Jaguars finished the regular season 6-5-2, while the Cougars came into yesterday’s game with a record of 4-9-2.
The Jags avenged a regular season 3-2 loss to Quince Orchard back on September 27 to advance in the post-season thanks to a tough defensive game and a first-half goal by Duncan Dunkwu. Northwest would go on to beat Quince Orchard 1-0. Senior goalkeeper Jake Hsieh earned the shut-out.
This marks the second year in a row, in which the Jags eliminated Quince Orchard from the post-season, last year Northwest beat QO 2-1 in the regional semi-final.
The Jags advance to play top-seeded 9-3 Clarksburg, who had a bye in the first round. The last time these two teams met, back on September 22, the Coyotes won 3-2 in Germantown. Clarksburg is riding a three-game winning streak, ending the regular season with victories over Poolesville, Einstein, and Northwood.
The second-round matchup between Northwest and Clarksburg is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Clarksburg.
Captions:
Top: The Jaguars' Lexi Halem (8) eludes Trojans goalie Elise Coutuier (6) and Maisie Scott (7) to score the first goal of Friday's playoff game.
Next: Northwest's Alison Murphy (16) and Gaithersburg's Sierra Hopkins (12) vie for the ball in Friday's playoff game.
Next: Northwest's Duncan Dunkwu (21) scored in the first half of Friday's playoff game against Quince Orchard. Northwest would go on to beat Quince Orchard 1-0.
Next: The Jaguars' Gavin Shirley (10) fends off the Cougars' Aiden Kirk (8).
Next: Northwest's Joshua Kalubayaka (16) and Quince Orchard's Leo Cornacchia (15) vie for the ball.
Photos by Kim Grimes for Germantown Pulse.
Photos from these games are available at https://kimgrimes.smugmug.com/Sports
