Hackman's overtime goal sends Wood girls back to state tourney

WINCHESTER — Overtime proved to be James Wood time in the region semifinals again on Thursday night.

Senior midfielder/forward Jasmine Hackman scored one minute into the second half of regular overtime off a free-kick cross from Avery Wright to lift the North No. 1 seed Colonels to a 2-1 girls' soccer win over No. 3 Orange County on Friday at Kelican Stadium.

The victory sends the Colonels (14-1-3) into Tuesday's Region 4D championship game against South No. 2 seed Blacksburg (17-0-2) at 6 p.m. at Kelican Stadium. James Wood will then make its second consecutive state tournament appearance on June 4.

James Wood advanced to the state tournament last year by winning another 2-1 overtime game at Kelican Stadium, with that victory taking place in the golden goal extra session of the Region 4C semifinals.

By scoring in regular overtime this year, the Colonels still had some work to do to beat Orange County (12-5). But they shut down the Fighting Hornets by holding them without a shot over four minutes to show just how much grit they possess in another high-stakes situation.

"We just fought right to the end," said forward Jolie Jenkins, who played an integral role in setting up both goals on Friday.

"I'm proud of this team, and this program the last few years," James Wood coach Donavan Russell said. "Every year, the girls understand what we hope to do, and what we want to do. Late season, school's over, prom's done, graduation's coming, and for them to stay as focused as they are, it's pretty special. It's pretty special to win in the regional semis again and have a chance to go to the state tournament."

For the second straight year, Hackman was smack in the middle of James Wood's overtime success in the region semis. Against Broad Run last year, her corner kick led to McKenna Newcome's goal that tied the game at 1-1 in the first overtime, and Maddie Shirley scored the game-winner off the rebound of a Hackman shot in golden goal OT.

Coming into Friday, Hackman hadn't been healthy enough to play in any of James Wood's previous three games, and the Second Team All-District forward said she's missed five or six games total this year. Hackman wasn't sure how she'd respond in her first game in two weeks.

"I was so nervous," Hackman said. "I had butterflies coming in."

Hackman said Russell substituted her enough to keep her feeling good throughout the game. In the second five-minute overtime, Hackman didn't have to worry about fitness as Wright prepared to take a free kick from the right side, a couple yards outside of the penalty box and about 12 yards from the endline. She just had to find a way to deliver if she had an opportunity to get to the ball in the box.

"I was just hoping she would loft it, and she did just what she needed to," said Hackman of the cross that went to the far left post. "I saw it drop right in front of me, and I put it in with my right foot."

James Wood's players engulfed Hackman so quickly that it took Russell (and just about everyone else) a moment to figure out that Hackman was the player who scored.

"She works for what she gets, and she makes great plays," Russell said.

The goal would not have been possible without Jenkins, who has verbally committed to NCAA Division I Clemson University and was playing what could turn out to be the final home game of her high school career. Though Jenkins is a junior in terms of athletic eligibility, this is her final year in a Colonels' uniform because she is going to graduate next winter in order to get a head start on soccer training at Clemson.

Jenkins repeatedly gave Orange County fits by making long runs with the ball at her feet, using her speed and dekes to create separation for shots and passes. She also drew fouls through her play, and she was the one who was sent to the ground after making a long, dribbling run for the foul in overtime that led to Wright's cross and Hackman's goal.

Jenkins had the assist on DeLaney Newcome's goal in Wednesday's 1-0 region quarterfinal against Charlottesville after making a long run by dribbling through several players and crossing the ball from the right, and on Friday her header on a corner kick in the 33rd minute helped tie the game 1-1. Hornets goalkeeper Keller Hines went low to stop the ball near the goal line. A defender tried to clear it, but freshman Ava Manzo was already charging toward the goal and blocked the ball with her body into the net.

"Going into the playoffs, we talked to her and asked her to put the team on her shoulders," said Russell of Jenkins. "She's done so much, but we just wanted her to trust her instincts. She's kind of free to do what she'd like to do offensively, and then at the end tonight we put her back there defensively to protect the lead. I'm really, really proud of how she's stepped up to really show who she is as player and a team leader."

A lot of players are raising their games with All-State midfielder McKenna Newcome missing the last three games due to health complications and outside back Nayah Edwards missing both playoff games after suffering an injury against Handley in the regular-season finale. Sophomore Reese Lassard has stepped in for Edwards on a back line that also features Maddie Heustis, Meadow Falkner and Wright.

Russell was proud of everyone on Friday, particularly freshman goalkeeper Alaynah McGuire. Orange County's one goal came as a result of McGuire dropping Somer Wolfrey's direct kick shot in the 24th minute, then Hailey Angelo moving in to knock in the rebound. McGuire made three saves and other important plays after that.

"Freshman, big game, she shook it off and made several good catches," Russell said.

The Colonels lost in the region final and state quarters last year. They're excited to have another opportunity to play in those rounds again.

"I'm so happy that we're doing this together again," Hackman said. "It really shows what our team is made of."

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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