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A pair of second-half goals made the difference as the Knights were outdueled 2-0 by Western Albemarle in the Class 3 state championship at Fluvanna County High School, denying them an inaugural state title.

“It’s disappointing, more than anything,� an emotional Erin Smith, the Knights head coach, said. “But not because there’s disappointment from them, just disappointment in when you work so hard for months and months for a goal, and you do everything and you put everything into it, just to be on the other end it’s super heavy. It’s pretty hard.�

Two years ago, Cave Spring went 6-9-2 and exited the postseason in the first round of the region tournament. This season’s team won 21 straight games, outscored opponents 91-5, captured back-to-back region titles and reached the program’s first-ever state championship game.

“I think we definitely made a mark this season. No one expected us to get this far from last year, and I’m so incredibly proud of every single one of us,� sophomore defender Scottie Leonard said. “We put so much heart into this season, going for a record of 21-1. That’s pretty incredible. No one else has it in the state tournament, so I feel like we left a good mark for this year and we’re ready to start next year.�

In a game spent mostly on the Knights’ side of midfield, the Warriors (15-4-2) broke through on a 47th-minute corner kick. The keeper leapt and tipped the ball away, but the deflection found the foot of Chloe Gates, who poked it over the goal line.

Sadie Bruton made it a two-goal lead in the 63rd minute when she corralled a midfield feed for a breakaway opportunity, firing in a point-blank shot past the keeper.

“They were playing an extremely quick game, trying to press us into the width,� Smith said. “Weren’t letting us really hold on to the ball for much longer than two touches and just made sure they shut us down completely. Every single one of their players had every single one of our players man-marked, and it’s a really disciplined game and it’s a really tricky game. They stepped into it well and we just got a little flustered in the midfield.�

Smith, the Knights’ second-year head coach and a Cave Spring alumna, said Western Albemarle had an advantage having played in the state championship last year. The Warriors were out for redemption after losing to Brentsville District by a goal.

“This is a different ballgame, stepping into the state tournament, even stepping into a state championship game,� Smith said. “They are not new to this space, and it definitely is fuel for them to be able to know what it’s like and the kind of intensity that you need to step out at 9 a.m. for a game like this.�

Cave Spring struggled to get shots off, earning most of its chances in the waning minutes. Western Albemarle keeper Kacie Walker, aided by a suffocating back line, had a relatively easy day between the posts.

“I think we were more defensive this game,� Leonard said.

“I feel like their offense was really strong, so I feel like we were more defensive, which allowed them to shine in the back, because we didn’t have as much pressure up top for them.�

Cave Spring fully expects to be back in 2026 as it graduates just three of its 19 players. Eight players will be juniors, four will be seniors and another four will be sophomores.

“We’re pretty young,� Leonard said. “So we should have another good year and a couple other years after that.�