This time it was the Madison Warhawks’ turn to win against the Yorktown Patriots in a frequent back-and-forth big-game rivalry that has developed in recent seasons between what have become perennial boys high-school lacrosse powers.
It’s possible the teams could meet again in coming days in another key match.
The most recent showdown was the May 26 championship tilt of the 6D North Region tournament at Madison. Yorktown led 10-8 with 6:11 to play in the seesaw match. Then Madison won four straight faceoffs by Adamek Dembicki that led to four straight goals, as the Warhawks rallied to win, 12-10, and capture a third region crown in recent years.
“This was a game of runs, so when we got behind we kept our composure and made some plays,” Madison coach Aaron Solomon said. “We have gotten better as the season has gone on, and have had to overcome the loss of [injured] top returner Will Rubley.”
The victory was Madison’s 10th in a row, as the Warhawks improved to 17-2 and avenged a regular-season loss to Yorktown in late March.
Last season, Yorktown defeated Madison in the region final, then days later the Warhawks got revenge with a state-tourney semifinal victory over the Patriots, and went on to win the Class 6 state championship.
In the May 26 region final, Yorktown took an early 2-0 lead, with Madison surging back to lead 4-2 at halftime.
In the second half, it was the Patriots’ turn to rally and they first regained the lead, then moved in front 9-8 with 6:11 to play in the game, then led 10-8.
Madison rallied to take the lead for good at 11-10 on a goal by Oliver Hau with 23 seconds left, then Mark Rubley added the clincher with nine seconds left.
Jakob Green was Madison’s leading goal-scorer in the region final with four goals, Mark Rubley scored three, Carter Casto two and Levi Wentz, Duncan Craddock and Hau with one each. Jackson Oskuie got the win in goal.
Madison was 3-0 in the region, defeating Herndon, 11-3, in the first round then McLean, 17-4, in the semifinals.
In a first-round state tournament match on June 2 at Madison, the Warhawks are scheduled to host the Lake Braddock Bruins (17-3). Lake Braddock lost to Madison in overtime in an overtime regular-season match on April 3.
