After an impressive run last season, the Fairfax Lions field hockey team is ready to roar once again under Coach Amber Beaudoin. The team clinched both the Patriot District and Occoquan Region titles in the fall of 2023, narrowly missing out on the State Championship with an overtime loss in the semifinals to Yorktown. This year, the Lions are set on reclaiming their crown.
Reflecting on last season, Coach Beaudoin shared, "We went 18-3 and had a tough loss in OT of the State Semifinals to Yorktown, who we beat in Fall 2022 to win the State Title. Winning both the Patriot District and Occoquan Region titles in Fall 2023 was a significant achievement for us."
With a robust schedule ahead, the Lions are not shying away from challenging matchups. "Our strength of schedule is maxed out this year," Coach Beaudoin noted. "We are playing the defending State Champs (Yorktown), Oakton, and other strong teams like Madison, South Lakes, and Battlefield. Additionally, we will compete in the Max Field Hockey National Invitational in Pennsylvania against the top 50 teams in the US."
Despite graduating ten seniors from the class of 2024, including standout players like Tatum Anderson and Kelly Via, the Lions have adeptly filled these critical gaps. Anderson, a first-team All-State goalkeeper now at VCU, will be replaced by Lila Seifert, a talented junior committed to Lynchburg. Via, a first-team All-State forward, is succeeded by Maddy Ogletree, a junior who earned second-team All-District honors.
This season, all eyes will be on senior captain Kaia Beaudoin, an Iowa commit who earned first-team All-State and All-Met honors and secured a spot on the U/18 US National team. As the leading scorer with 22 goals and 22 assists last year, Beaudoin's leadership will be pivotal. Alongside her, Sawyer Anderson, a junior midfielder/forward who made first-team All-State with 7 goals and 6 assists, is expected to make a significant impact.
Coach Beaudoin expressed her optimism: "We return senior captain Kaia Beaudoin, who was our leading scorer last year, and Sawyer Anderson, who earned first-team All-State honors. Their experience and talent will be crucial for us."
The Fairfax Lions are set to embark on another thrilling season, driven by a mix of seasoned talent and emerging stars. With a rigorous schedule and the hunger to reclaim their state title, the Lions are prepared to leave everything on the field.
Key Players:
Kaia Beaudoin: Senior Captain, Forward/Midfielder, Iowa commit, U/18 US National team, 22 goals, 22 assists.
Sawyer Anderson: Junior, Midfielder/Forward, 1st team All-State, 7 goals, 6 assists.
Lila Seifert: Junior, Goalkeeper, 2nd team All-District, committed to Lynchburg.
Maddy Ogletree: Junior, Forward, 2nd team All-District.
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