Colgan (20-1-1) took the lead in the 38th minute via senior Tiana Cruz, who scored the winner in last year’s championship victory. Woodson (9-11-1), which started the season 1-9, couldn’t find an equalizer.
That was largely thanks to Colgan’s center back pairing of junior Bree Bridges and freshman Mei Koppers — two of eight new starters for the Sharks coming into the season — as well as goalkeeper Chase Rooney.
“Replacing eight starters … it’s unheard of,” Coach Tom Warzywak said. “The girls who didn’t play last year … they knew that this was their year, and they said from the very beginning, ‘We want it.’ And every step of the way they’ve shown that.”
Colgan will take on Freedom at Mills Godwin High on Saturday morning after the Eagles (23-0) extended their perfect season with a 2-1 win over Madison.
Penn State commit Addy Hess opened the scoring for Freedom early before the Warhawks (16-3-1) responded with a goal from senior Keira McCloskey. Hess scored her 43rd goal of the season late in the second half to ensure the Eagles remained undefeated and earned a chance to claim their first state championship.
“It’s hard to win,” Coach Chris Campbell said. “There’s so many things that have to go right over the course of a season and over the course of the game that it’s just difficult, and they’ve just found a way.”
In the Class 4 bracket, John Champe (18-2-2) advanced to its first state final with a 2-0 semifinal win over Jamestown at Western Albemarle High in Crozet, Va. Georgia commit Mya Townes and senior Keira Van Sanford scored to give the Knights an opportunity to make program history in Saturday’s final against James Wood.
In Class 3, Brentsville District rolled to another state final appearance with a 5-1 win against Wilson Memorial at Monticello High in Charlottesville. Florida State commit Peyton McGovern scored twice and added an assist to give the Tigers (18-2-1) an opportunity to repeat as state champions. They will face Western Albemarle in Saturday’s final.
Reigning champion Independence fell in the Class 5 semifinal to Kellam, 1-0, at Glen Allen High. The Tigers (20-1) had gone unbeaten for 35 consecutive games before Friday’s defeat.
McLean boys advance to Class 6 final
When the McLean boys’ soccer team needed a goal in the second half of Friday’s Class 6 semifinal, it turned to a corner kick routine that had already succeeded multiple times this season.
The Highlanders sent a low corner kick into the penalty box and had an attacker run over the ball to distract the defense and free up a teammate. McLean didn’t convert on the initial shot, but the rebound fell to senior Dante Tosado, who fired a strike past the opposing goalkeeper to give the Highlanders a crucial lead in the 58th minute.
The defender’s second goal of the day proved to be enough for McLean to top Gar-Field, 2-1, at Mills Godwin High and advance to its first state final since 1995.
The Highlanders (17-2-2) will have the opportunity to claim their first state title with a team determined to make history.
“This is what we’ve always expected from day one,” Coach Leland Jameson said. “We’ve been talking about doing something that’s never been done. … This has always been part of the plan. We’re just here now.”
Junior Ada Karatepe whipped a free kick into the box that Tosado headed into the back of the net in the 19th minute to give McLean an early lead. The Red Wolves (20-2-1) responded through senior Jefferson Lopez Coreas, who arrowed a free kick from about 25 yards into the bottom corner to tie the game in the 47th minute.
McLean will take on Cosby at Mills Godwin High on Saturday. Herndon (16-4) fell to the Titans in the other Class 6 semifinal, 3-0, after conceding two first-half goals.
In Class 5, Riverside (18-2-4) saw its season end with a penalty kick loss in the Class 5 semifinals, falling to Cox, 7-6, in spot kicks. The match was tied at 1 at the end of regulation.