The Mustangs field hockey team bested the York Falcons in the state semifinals, extending their undefeated record to 21-0 and advancing to the VHSL State Championship. A back-and-forth bout between the two juggernauts saw the Mustangs emerging victorious by a score of 3-2.
Meridian was able to snatch the early lead thanks to a goal by sophomore Lenea Paradiso, putting the Mustangs ahead 1-0 just four short minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, the Falcons had managed to tie the game 1-1.
Early in the second quarter, the Mustangs took back the lead with an incredible goal by junior Zorah Randhawa, who knocked an airborne pass from sophomore Emery Pintauro into the Falcons’ goal.
“The focus points of tonight were the team and having fun. I told the team that we needed to have fun and play as a team, and that’s exactly what they did,” head coach Anne Steenhoek said.
After halftime, the Mustangs defense stood tall, defending against eight York short corners in the third quarter alone. Meridian also extended their lead with a goal by junior Tricia Abedejos, assisted by freshman Leah Tysse, making the score 3-1 and putting one hand on the state championship berth.
“[The team] continually supported and backed each other up, and encouraged one another all game,” coach Steenhoek said.
Despite York’s best efforts and a power outage at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Falcons failed to catch back up to the Mustangs, and Meridian clinched their first state championship berth since 2023.
“[The lights going out] happened in our 2025 region final game against Western Albemarle, so it wasn’t a new occurrence…the girls focused themselves and didn’t let it negatively impact them,” coach Steenhoek commented.
They will play against the very school that beat them just three years ago, Tabb HS. Both teams are undefeated this season, and the Mustangs will have their work cut out for them, as Tabb is a nationally ranked program.
The Mustangs will face off against the Tabb Tigers on Saturday, Nov 14, at 4 p.m. at a neutral location of Independence HS.
