By DAVID CUCCHIARA
Washington Daily News

WASHINGTON — It was another quiet night for junior keeper Emily Alligood on Thursday as Beddingfield fell to the Pam Pack in the second round of the Class 2-A State Championships, 9-0.

“I tell them don’t worry what the other team does, just worry about how you play. I’m very animate about making good traps, good passes, because ultimately that’s what’s going to get you to control the ball. This game is very frustrating if you can’t control the ball.”

Washington’s systematic one- and two-touch passing did just that, significantly controlling the time of possession and keeping the ball away from the Bruins forwards.

Beddingfield, finishing second in the Eastern Plains Conference, dropped both regular season matches to the Pam Pack, 9-0, and were unable to jumpstart anything on the offensive end, once again.

For Washington, junior midfielder Caitlyn Scott had her most productive game this season, scoring the first goal of the match by redirecting a Sidney Edwards cross off her hip and just passed the goalie’s outstretched hand. The Washington strikers and midfield continued to press and keep the Bruins defense in pursuit.

Senior striker Harley Hudson, who spent her evening racking up perfectly placed crossed in front of the net, notched her 14th goal of the season by easily finishing a Christian Heggie shot on net. A minute later, senior Rebecca Omonde laid a well-placed pass to the left foot of Scott, who tallied her second goal of the contest.

As the Bruins defense began to slacken, Washington’s top talents, Heggie and senior midfielder Alana Jefferson, put the game out of reach with two quick goals, the first being a cross from Heggie toed in by Jefferson. Seconds later, Heggie weaved through the defense to open up an uncontested break at net, easily recording her 52 goal of the season, tying her with Morgan Goff of Triton High School for most in the state.

With 10 minutes to go in the half, Scott emerged from a cluster of players in front and chipped in her third goal of the game, sending the Pack into halftime with a commanding 6-0 lead.

In the second half, it took just 10 minutes for Washington to reach the nine-goal mercy rule. Jefferson scored her second of the evening, unassisted, just seconds after the whistle, and Scott followed suit with her fourth goal of the game.

Sophomore Isabella Mayo later ended the match with the ninth goal, her 15th of the season.

“Our midfield is working well and our intensity is getting better,” Rodriguez said. “Each round our intensity is increasing. Playing at home is going to be a big help. We don’t have to travel anywhere – two, three hour trips like we have done in the past. It’s going to be a big advantage.”

Washington advances to the third round of the state playoffs with the win and will face the winner of South Lenoir and Kinston, a team the Pack have already beaten twice this season.