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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.

鈥淚t鈥檚 disappointing, more than anything,鈥� an emotional Erin Smith, the Knights head coach, said. 鈥淏ut not because there鈥檚 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鈥檚 super heavy. It鈥檚 pretty hard.鈥�

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

鈥淚 think we definitely made a mark this season. No one expected us to get this far from last year, and I鈥檓 so incredibly proud of every single one of us,鈥� sophomore defender Scottie Leonard said. 鈥淲e put so much heart into this season, going for a record of 21-1. That鈥檚 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鈥檙e ready to start next year.鈥�

In a game spent mostly on the Knights鈥� 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.

鈥淭hey were playing an extremely quick game, trying to press us into the width,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淲eren鈥檛 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鈥檚 a really disciplined game and it鈥檚 a really tricky game. They stepped into it well and we just got a little flustered in the midfield.鈥�

Smith, the Knights鈥� 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.

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

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.

鈥淚 think we were more defensive this game,鈥� Leonard said.

鈥淚 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鈥檛 have as much pressure up top for them.鈥�

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.

鈥淲e鈥檙e pretty young,鈥� Leonard said. 鈥淪o we should have another good year and a couple other years after that.鈥�