The Lord Botetourt soccer teams were getting ready to play state quarterfinal soccer games as the paper went to press this week. Both LB teams were playing in Crozet against Western Albemarle for a Class 3 state doubleheader, with the girls at 5:30 p.m. and the boys at 7:30 pm.

Both LB teams were Region 3D runners-up in local tournaments last week. The girls clinched a state berth when they defeated Cave Spring in the region semifinal, 1-0, at Bogle Stadium in Roanoke County.

Heather Finley of LB scored the only goal of the game off an assist from Mackenzie Collins just under 30 minutes into the game. That goal stood up as the Cavaliers qualified for a state berth.

On Thursday at Bogle, Hidden Valley turned the tables on LB with a 1-0 win to capture the Region 3D championship. LB keeper Olivia Assenat kept the Cavs in the game with some outstanding saves, but LB never could get the equalizer as Botetourt fell to 12-3-4 on the season.

The boys earned a shot in the state with a 3-2 win over Northside in their regional semifinal at Alleghany High School. Blake Myers had a goal and two assists in the win and Abe Barkett and Matt Smith also scored for the Cavaliers.

That set up a match with Cave Spring in the championship game, which started Thursday at Bogle Field before being suspended by weather after a scoreless first half. The game resumed Friday and Cave Spring came out with a 1-0 win off a corner kick.

“We came out Friday for the second half and dominated possession and shots on goal, but they got a corner kick that resulted in a loose ball that ended up deflecting off one of our players,” said LB coach Tim Wright.

Botetourt also missed a penalty kick as the Cavaliers lost for just the second time all year. They took a 13-2-3 record to Western Albemarle.

“Overall it was a great week for LB soccer,” said Wright. “I saw some true leadership out of the guys and I am so proud of this team and their ability to make the state tournament.”

If the boys won Tuesday they would advance to a Friday game at Kerr Stadium on the campus of Roanoke College against the winner of a semifinal game between Cave Spring and Spotswood. The championship is Saturday at 12:20 p.m. at RC and the other side of the bracket has York, James Monroe, Manassas Park and Tabb.

If the LB girls won Tuesday they would play at noon Friday at RC against either Hidden Valley or Monticello. The championship is Saturday at 10 a.m. and the other side of the bracket includes Colonial Heights, Brentsville, Spotsylvania and York.