CCHS comeback falls short

By Shane Mettlen

Published: October 8, 2008

Culpeper coach Robin Bolt joked that she made a great speech at halftime. Whatever she said seemed to have an effect on the Blue Devilettes, who scored two quick goals out of the break, but couldn’t make up enough ground to avoid a 4-2 defeat to Fauquier.

“I told the girls they weren’t playing up to their potential and they could do better,” Bolt said. “I made some suggestions and they actually did it. These girls are just young and they just need more playing time.”

It went down in the books as a loss for CCHS, which fell to 2-8, but has played some of its best games of the season in the past two outings. Coming off a victory against Osbourn on Monday, the Devilettes fell behind early to the visiting Falcons, but unlike a 6-0 loss at Fauquier earlier this season, CCHS mounted a comeback.

Briana Nascimento scored her second goal of the game for Fauquier with 6:27 remaining in the first half to give the Falcons a 4-0 lead. It looked even worse for the Devilettes a minute later when goalkeeper Miranda Phipps, who had 17 saves at that point, had to leave the game after a collision in front of the cage.

But Phipps, who finished with 28 saves, returned in the second half and Culpeper got on the scoreboard with 29:09 remaining in the game when Stephanie Giba scored to make it 3-1. The Devilettes picked up even more momentum just a few minutes later when a goal from Casey Mocarski made it a 4-2 Fauquier lead with 24:46 remaining.

“I think we all felt more motivated and pumped up in the second half,” Phipps said. “In the first half we were kind of lazy. We’re all starting to pick up on each other’s strengths and weaknesses and growing from that.”

Phipps and the CCHS defense kept the Falcons out of the goal the remainder of the game despite facing 13 penalty corner attempts, but the Devilettes couldn’t muster any more offense.

“They have some really good players on their team,” Bolt said. “But it’s pulling it all together for our girls now. They are learning the skills and pulling them together in a game. That’s what they did in the second half.”

Miceile Barrett and Star Cone also had goals for the Falcons, who have won six straight to improve to 10-3 on the season. Ellie Barrett and Paige Douthett also had assists.

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or