First Colonial ends Cox’s region field hockey reign, wins Beach rivals’ latest showdown in overtime

VIRGINIA BEACH — First Colonial seemed to be well on its way to winning the Class 5 Region A field hockey title on a wet, cold Tuesday night.

But with less than two minutes left, Cox’s Erma Bailey scored to send the game into overtime.

The Patriots could have fallen apart.

Instead, they regrouped and Grace Dixon scored the game winner to give First Colonial a 2-1 victory and the region title.

Cox had won five straight region championships and has won the past five Virginia High School League Class 5 state crowns. Both finalists have state tournament berths.

“It was a pretty big letdown,” Dixon said about the late Cox goal that sent the game into overtime. “But you have to restart because you know they’re going to be feeling better, and we were feeling down. But it’s a tie game, so it’s anyone’s game. We just had to come out there and be confident, which is what we were able to do. And that’s how we were able to secure the title, which is great.”

First-year First Colonial coach Meghan Smart knew it was going to be a tough match. The Patriots beat Cox last month in a shootout.

So getting this title was huge.

“It’s been a big rivalry between Cox and FC,” said Smart, who played at Old Dominion. “The past couple of years we got the short end of the stick. Just to come out this year and get the win means the world.”

In the past 10 seasons, the two teams have dominated the sport in Hampton Roads and beyond. Cox has won seven state titles and 24 overall. First Colonial won in 2015, but has played in the state final six times, including four times against Cox.

In the rivals’ latest showdown, the Patriots took the early 1-0 lead on junior Claire Hitchings’ goal. That was followed by Bailey’s second-half goal.

Then it was Dixon, who ended it in overtime.

“The ball was there and I was like ‘I got to put it in the cage,'” she said. “And that’s what I did. And I got the ball from teammate Jolie Day. It was amazing to put it in, but it’s really all of my teammates.”

Now the Patriots are focused on closing the job next week.

“We’ve prepared so hard in the offseason, we’ve been working towards this,” Dixon said. “It’s our first step to the state (title). It’s amazing to see all of our hard work being realized.”

The state quarterfinals are set for Tuesday, followed by the semifinals Nov. 10 and championship game Nov. 11.

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com