Devilettes race to program's first victories
By Chris Burke
Slowly, but surely, the CCHS girls lacrosse team is coming around.OK, maybe not so slowly.
Last week, the rookie program sprinted past Brentsville and Stonewall Jackson for the Devilettes' first-ever varsity wins.
"Every game that we've played, we know that speed is something that we do have," sophomore Taryn Bierhuizen said. "So we try to use it to our advantage."
Bierhuizen did just that in both CCHS victories.
In Culpeper's 11-8 win over Brentsville last Wednesday, Bierhuizen repeatedly burned the Tigers' defense, scoring seven goals.
The next night, at Stonewall Jackson, she one-upped herself, netting eight goals in an 18-7 rout.
Both opponents appeared unprepared for Bierhuizen's wheels — something coach Robin Bolt noticed immediately against Brentsville.
"They were a kind of slow-moving team," Bierhuizen said of Brentsville. "I looked to my coach and she said, 'Just get the draw and go down,' and it worked."
As historic as the Brentsville victory was, especially on the heels of an 0-4 start, the next night's performance stood as more important.
The 11-goal rout of Stonewall was the first Cedar Run District triumph for the Devilettes.
More than that, it was the culmination of the team's progress. Such improvement had Bolt believing that wins were coming.
"I just keep seeing them get better every week," the Devilette coach said. "They've gotten a lot better, I'm really proud of them."
It was not all Bierhuizen in the two victories, either. The Devilettes followed her lead, providing enough support for the wins.
Against Brentsville, Emily Aqualina scored Culpeper's first and last goals, while Morgan Martin added a pair.
Aqualina and Martin then each tallied a hat trick at Stonewall, with Kelsey Larson and Scarlett Corbin tallying a pair of markers each.
"The girls showed great improvement in the passing game," Bolt said after that Stonewall victory. "They really played like a team."
All the success could be traced back to Wednesday's first half. CCHS overwhelmed Brentsville early, racing to a 7-1 halftime lead.
The Tigers had no answer for Culpeper's aggressive attack.
"That's kind of what we're known for," Bierhuizen said.
"We're real excited. We have our heads held high now."