McLean Soccer Team Defeats Top Team to Advance to Regionals

William A. Gray, one of the neighbors, shared this report from Wednesday night's McLean-Centreville regional game.

McLean High School Highlanders defeated the No. 1 ranked Centreville Cougars by a score of 4-2, in the Northern Region girls varsity soccer semi-final games played at Madison on Wednesday night. That means McLean advances to play W.T.  Woodson in the Northern Region Final at 5 p.m Friday at Madison High School .
 
Forward, Melissa Downey opened the scoring for McLean with an unassisted goal and shortly there after Becca Latimer scored to give the Highlanders a 2-0 lead. Senior Kristen Bettner scored on a header off a corner kick from Andie Romness to open up a 3-0 lead moments later the Highlanders scored again to take total control of the game.
 
In the closing minutes in the first half, Centreville got on the score board by scoring on a corner kick to make the halftime score 4-1.
 
The second half was predominantly a defensive struggle as McLean changed their line-up and attacking formation to a defensive formation in an attempt to keep the Cougars off the score board. The  strategy was successful, however, Centreville scored with 20 minutes left to make it a 4-2 game. Each team had numerous second half opportunities but the goal keepers for each team came up with tremendous saves.
 
With the victories, McLean and Woodson have each advanced to the 8-team Virginia State playoffs which begin next Tuesday. The winner of the regional final game on Friday night between McLean and Woodson  will host a first round state playoff game next Tuesday against the East Region runner-up  while the loser will play at the East Region Champion on Tuesday night.