Grant Massey’s Madison High girls’ soccer team has wins thus far over West Springfield, Falls Church, and Hayfield. Photo by Rich Sanders.
Vienna — With the second half of the high school girls’ soccer season having started up with district play last week, the Madison High Warhawks, while having played stretches of good soccer at 3-2-1, are still working to achieve bigger and better things.
“Up to this point in the season, the team is still a work in progress,” said Madison head coach Grant Massey.
Madison had a tough start to the Liberty District schedule last Thursday, April 12 when it lost a home game to Stone Bridge, 2-0.
Madison has not played a game since but is scheduled to play its second district game of the season this Friday night at cross-town rival Marshall. Game time is set for 7.
Massey has a good mix of seniors and underclassmen players on his roster. There is an expectation that sooner or later, the Warhawks will take off and put together their best soccer of the spring. Hopefully for Madison, the team will jell by the time the district playoffs begin on May 14. Massey is still working to piece together the best lineup as possible for his team.
“I don't think I have found our best formation yet, nor the right players to play in each spot,” he said. “I know we can compete with the best in the region, but so far, we haven't been able to beat those teams.”
BACK ON MARCH 13, Madison opened its season with a down-to-the-wire 2-1 overtime victory over guest West Springfield, a team from the Patriot District. The Warhawks followed that up with a definitive 5-0 road win at Falls Church High (National District) the following day.
A week later, in a non-district game against traditional Vienna-area rival Oakton (Concorde District), the Warhawks lost a 1-0 decision in the contest played at Oakton High School on March 21. That was Madison’s first loss of the season and put it at 2-1.
Two days later, in another road game versus a Concorde District team, Madison played host Herndon to a 1-1 deadlock on March 23.
Madison got back into the win column on March 27 with a lopsided 8-0 win at Hayfield High (Patriot District) in its final game before spring break.
The Warhawks’ only game since the Hayfield game was its Liberty opener late last week against the Bulldogs of Stone Bridge.
The team is working hard to get better and better.
“I'm hoping by the end of the season we'll be settled with our line-up and will be able to win these close games,” said Massey, referring to the non-win close contests against Oakton, Herndon, and Stone Bridge.
Madison’s top players this season have been senior defender Vivian Le, sophomore defender Susie Carter, and senior forward Shaydah Naraghi.
Madison’s next home game is scheduled for next Tuesday night, April 24 at 7 against district opponent Jefferson High.