Chat with members of the Stonewall Jackson and Liberty field hockey teams about what is key to success and you would not know which team scored nine goals and which scored none.

Over and over again last Thursday in Bealeton, the girls from both teams stressed the importance of communication and how that is the primary focus of their respective squads.

"That's one thing we try to take from every single game. We try and communicate more and more," Casey Pehrson, one of two SJHS captains.

Liberty senior midfielder Alexis Campbell explained with glee what happens when teammates do speak up actively on the field.

"Our coach emphasizes talking every single practice. We don't do it enough and we finally did and we worked together and we scored nine points! Woo!"

Liberty (1-2) ended up with its first win of the short season with strong offensive efforts late in the first half and early in the second half, leading to a 9-0 final. With few exceptions, the teams played in Stonewall territory throughout the evening.

Six players made their way into the scorebook for the home-team Eagles, with midfielders Ashley Edwards, winger Sara Wigglesworth and junior insider Kelsey Propps each earning two goals. Other scores came from Campbell, Lea Chastine and German exchange student Vera Taborski, whose goal marked her first inside the United States.

"A lot of the girls got more motivated and they wanted to score. And we really encouraged that at half time in the huddle," said senior defender Shay Vestal.

Defensively, Stonewall goalie Kori Slemp found herself up against constant pressure. Even with the lopsided score, Slemp managed a few kick-saves in the second half, even shutting out Liberty for the final quarter of the game.

"She's amazing. It's her first year, " said Pehrson.

Samantha O'Connor, the Raiders' other captain, explained how the team with only three experienced players evolved through summer training and the start of the season.

"Sometimes, the girls can be in la-la land, and a lot of good stuff. They don't really listen to students that much but actually it's been working out pretty well," she said, later adding that players like sophomore left forward Samantha Wahl have adapted quickly.

"She has been able to stop the ball very well and she catches on to things fast. And we didn't even expect it because she's a tiny little thing," said O'Connor with a smile.

The Eagles and Raiders (0-3) could not be much further apart all around, from the size of their programs to the team's physical turf. Liberty fielded a 16-player roster this year compared to Stonewall's 12, leaving only one Raider on the bench at any given moment last week. Stonewall generally has a new head coach each year, currently under the reins of Catherine O'Connor, while Liberty's been more stable.

Liberty entered the game in search of its first win while Stonewall just wanted a goal.

"Like, all of us can be proud of ourselves even if we don't win because we're growing as a team," said Pehrson.

While the Eagles and Raiders used to be district rivals during the last two seasons, Liberty, Fauquier and Culpeper all dropped down to Group AA status this year following the addition of new high schools in their counties. Stonewall has maintained its Group AAA status in the Cedar Run District, pitting the Raiders against Battlefield, Loudoun Valley, Heritage (Loudoun) and Osbourn.

Because Brentsville District does not have a field hockey program, Liberty only faces two opponents in the Evergreen District: Fauquier and Kettle Run.

"It will be very competitive, especially [because] the schools are so close and a lot of the girls know each other," said Liberty coach Mary Beth Colvin. "And I think all of our records will be pretty close, especially Liberty and Kettle Run."