Washington clashed with a physical White Oak team on Thursday, and despite the Pam Pack’s best effort, it could not slow down Jody Barber and the Vikings as it fell 3-0.

Barber used her combination of speed and power to score two goals in the first two minutes of the game to give White Oak an early cushion. Washington settled down after that and stepped up its defensive effort, but the damage was already done.

Barber scored another goal at the 16:01 mark in the second half to ensure the Vikings (5-0, 2-0) would pick up a win over its Coastal Conference rival Washington (3-3, 1-1).

Pam Pack coach Jimmy Kozuch knew his team would be in for a battle on Thursday and said he was happy with his team’s effort.

“Unfortunately we made a few mistakes early in the game and gave up two goals in the first two minutes, but besides that we played pretty good defensively,” Kozuch said. “We had some offensive threats but unfortunately we weren’t able to capitalize today.”

Heading into the game Washington’s star forward Beth Batchelor, who signed on to play with East Carolina University during the offseason, was fighting off an illness and was stationed at goalie in an effort to give her some rest. Batchelor, who has played goalie in the past, did a nice job for Washington, but the team missed her goal-scoring presence in the field.

“Besides being our No. 1 offensive threat, she would also be our top goalie,” Kozuch said. “She has been a feeling a little sick the past few days so because of her lack of energy we thought we could put her in goal. She did a really, really good job. If she could score playing goal she definitely would.”

She almost did. Despite being the goalie, Batchelor was brought up to make key kicks throughout the game and then had to race back to her goalie position.

“I was up for the challenge (of playing goal keeper) but during the game I wanted to get out on to the field,” Batchelor said.

Batchelor is yet to meet a challenge she can not overcome. The senior entered this season needing three goals to break Blaine Prescott’s school record of 78 goals. She scored four in the Pack’s season-opening win over Edenton.

“It feels good, that’s for sure, but we still have a whole season left and I’m just going to do what I can to help the team win,” Batchelor said.

Batchelor, who now has 86 career goals, said that aside from hitting the century mark, her goal is to lead Washington on a deep playoff run.

“I definitely want to make it past the first round of states,” Batchelor said. “I want to go all the way if we can.”

A long playoff run could be possible if Washington can play defense the way it did after the first two minutes against White Oak. Batchelor said that after the rough start, the Pack was able to raise its level of play.

“The defense definitely stepped up, I give them a lot of respect,” Batchelor said. “They come out and bodied up on White Oak and got physical.”

Kozuch said his team has been working on new alignments that should provide benefits on both ends of the field.

“Our new formation will take away some of the pressure on defense and at the same time when we are on offense it adds a couple of girls,” Kozuch said.

The Pam Pack offense had its moments on Thursday, but struggled to get shots off against a tough Vikings’ defense.

“(The Vikings) have a very mature defense. Everybody is smart and they think before they pass it so we had very few opportunities,” Kozuch said. “We also have a very young team. It will take a little bit of time.”

One of the young players who shined on Thursday was Erica Alligood. The sophomore played with intensity through out the entire game and got involved in several plays.

The Pam Pack will look to rebound on Tuesday when it hosts Havelock.