Leesburg, Va. — Less than 10 minutes into the game, the Washington Spirit found themselves in a predicament. After an early attack by forward Tara McKeown in the 2’, the Spirit were on the defensive when NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce earned a free kick just outside the top of the box. Spirit defender Sam Staab was shown a red card on the play and exited the game in the 7’. Down a player for what ended up being the final 92 minutes, the Spirit put up a valiant effort, holding the lead for more than 10 minutes in…
Author: Owen Gotimer
Vienna, Va. — The Night Owls were a team that liked to play from in front. From the first game of the season, they had a target on their backs. Their offense was loaded with guys who hit for power and for average, their pitching staff was led by a local standout, and they trailed after the fourth inning in just 4 of their 17 wins heading into the championship game. So when designated hitter Yareb Martinez (Georgetown/John Champe) stepped into the box to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning with his team down a run, he had…
Loudoun County, Va. — In a special session on July 15, three different models were presented to the VHSL Executive Committee regarding when and how Virginia high school sports and activities could start in 2020-2021. “It’s important to remember that in all these models playing sports in the high risk category depends on being out of the current Phase III guidelines,” VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun said. “All our efforts will continue towards advocating for the opening of sports and activities in a safe and reasonable way that will protect athletes, activity participants, coaches, officials, and the…
Vienna, Va. — For the Sliders of the Northern Virginia College League, it was just a matter of time. After dropping their first three games in the inaugural season of the NVCL, the Sliders have been on a tear—winning 5 of their last 6 games—showing no signs of slowing down after southpaw Brody Mack (William & Mary/Potomac Senior) tossed four scoreless innings and picked up the win in a 12-1 victory over the Yard Dogs on July 14 at Waters Field. “We knew we had a good ball club. It was just a matter of getting to know them, getting…
Sterling, Va. — In March, Jack Creamer was planning on continuing his wrestling career in his home state. Creamer is a two-time VHSL State champion with his roots in Virginia, and at the time, he felt Old Dominion University would be a good fit for him athletically, academically, and geographically. On March 19, Creamer announced via Instagram he’d be continuing his wrestling career at ODU, about 200 miles south of Sterling. Just 14 days later, Old Dominion announced it would be discontinuing its varsity wrestling program effective immediately, citing the “long-term best interest of the athletics program.” “When ODU disbanded…
Ashburn, Va. — When she first stepped foot on campus, Chandler Manusky knew she’d be moving to South Carolina. From the coaches to the team to the campus and the academics, Manusky fell in love with the College of Charleston and feels it is the perfect fit for her to continue her volleyball career starting in the 2021-2022 academic year. “The College of Charleston has an atmosphere that I could not resist and I could not wait to be a part of,” the 5-foot-7 Manusky said. “I knew committing there wouldn’t be anything less than amazing.” When the rising Briar…