The William Byrd girls soccer team has clinched a spot in the Region 4A West soccer tournament. On Wednesday the Terriers were trying to get a first round home game.
Byrd was scheduled to play Salem on Wednesday night at Spartan Field for the Conference 24 championship. Both teams are in the regional, but the winner gets a first round home game and the better draw for the coming Region 4A West tournament.
Byrd earned the regional berth with a 3-0 shutout win over Bassett in the Conference 24 semifinal Monday night in Martinsville. Byrd is the number three seed in the tournament and the Bengals were the second seed, earning the right to host on the turf field at the Smith River Complex.
Byrd got two goals from Jenna Rozenboom in the win, here seventh and eighth of the season. Taylor Guilliams and Madison Moses had assists and Byrd also scored on a penalty kick by Grace Carroll, who played in the goal and made four saves.
“I didn’t ask Grace to take the PK,” said coach Tom Brown. “Before I knew it she was lining up to take it. I loved her confidence that she knew she could score.”
Playing on the turf was a good experience for Byrd, as the Terriers were scheduled to play on turf again Wednesday night in Salem.
“Playing on the turf was a treat for us,” said Brown. “We were able to connect passes and create multiple opportunities.”
“We really have had a tough week and a half and I told the girls this could be the end of your season. The girls showed they wanted to play more games. I am so proud of the effort!”
The win gave Byrd a 12-5 overall record.