Menzie Takes Her Best Shot in Chantilly's Victory

After compiling nearly 20 assists in the past two seasons, Chantilly senior midfielder Katie Menzie has developed a pass-first approach.

Her combination of foot skills, speed and field vision allow her to place perfect through passes right onto the toes of rushing teammates and her cutback heel-passes are so dazzling they often draw a collective gasp from the crowd.

Last night, however, Menzie had no choice but to take her own shot rather than set up a fellow Charger -- and her blast from 20 yards in the 12th minute paved the way for a 2-0 road victory over No. 7 McLean.

"I like being creative and finding an open teammate and seeing if they can score," said Menzie, a James Madison recruit who had 12 assists last year. "This year, I decided I'm going to take more shots and try to mix it up a little more."

Menzie's fifth goal of the season gave the No. 5 Chargers (9-2-1, 5-1 Virginia AAA Concorde District) their third victory in four games and was a key out-of-conference victory during a 14-day stretch that has pit the Chargers against four ranked opponents.

"This win definitely helps because we know we have tough competition ahead and it shows us what we have cut out for us," said Chantilly freshman forward Morgan Morris, who scored on a breakaway in the 77th minute.

McLean's best chance came two minutes into the game when freshman forward Rose Sommovigo set herself up with a nice touch-pass that caused two Charger defenders to collide. Chantilly junior goalkeeper Lauren Jancuska (eight saves) charged the loose ball and smothered the chance by sliding and ripping the ball off of Sommovigo's foot.

Chantilly defenders Madyson Brown, Kelsey Reiman and Lauren Yates each controlled their zone on the backline to stymie a potent Highlanders attack that was averaging 4.4 goals per game and had scored 15 goals in its season opener. McLean outshot Chantilly, 11-5, but the Chargers' defense allowed few quality chances and just three shots in the second half.

"You just have to play man-to-man and pass off your marks faster and stay with them, give them a little space if you need to," said Brown, a speedy sophomore who often moves into the attacking role from the backline. "This game was like a practice for districts and the games coming up."

The No. 7 Highlanders (9-2, 5-1 AAA Liberty District) are in the midst of a banner year, relying on a mixture of veterans in seniors Jasmine Mohandesi (11 goals, five assists), Taylor Ancell (six goals, four assists), Caity Flint (three goals, five assists) and an influx of freshmen in Sommovigo, Josie Seebeck, Caroline Gray and Brianna Nielsen.

McLean will travel to Jefferson tonight in a key battle for seeding in the upcoming Liberty District tournament.

"Now we have to move and play our best tomorrow night," Seebeck said. "This is in the past now."

No. 5 Chantilly 2, No. 7 McLean 0 Hurting Highlanders: McLean senior forward Jasmine Mohandesi, an American University-bound senior forward and the Highlanders' leading scorer with 11 goals, was out last night with a right ankle sprain she suffered in Monday's 5-1 victory over Marshall. She is expected to miss two weeks. Tough Stretch: Last night was Chantilly's fourth game in 14 days against a ranked opponent. The Chargers are 2-2 during that stretch with losses to returning Virginia AAA state champion and top-ranked Robinson and No. 3 Stone Bridge and victories over No. 8 Oakton and No. 7 McLean.