Glenelg, Long Reach to play for regional field hockey title

By the grace of Grace Olson, Glenelg defeated Marriotts Ridge in sudden victory strokes. The two teams played scoreless field hockey through 60 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute sudden victory overtime periods.

The squads then matched each other, 2-2, during the strokeoff, which sent the game's outcome into sudden victory strokes.

Olson stepped to the stroke line first and made her shot. Marriotts Ridge's stroker's attempt was saved by Glenelg goalie Noelle Frost.

"Miss Kincaid called my name and I was up for the challenge," Olson said. "I was so excited to do this for my team."

Olson, a sophomore, had also scored during the initial strokeoff. Molly Milani scored Glenelg's other score.

Keally Ingersoll and Allie McAuley converted strokes for Marriotts Ridge.

Glenelg went to strokes earlier in the season and that experience helped the Gladiators.

"We've been there before and we knew if we just stood tall and executed our strokes, we'd be OK," Kincaid said.  "Gracie made both those strokes with her fingers busted up. I told her she didn't need her fingers on a stroke."

Glenelg dominated the first half of the game; Marriotts Ridge was a force in the second half and both overtimes, coming close but never scoring.

"Noelle is an awesome keeper but we just didn't get the ball around her," said Marriotts Ridge coach Stacie Gado.

Marriotts Ridge had several advantages in the game, including better passing and speed. The Mustangs were able to step into Glenelg's passing lanes to interrupt the Gladiators' game.

Each team's circle defense formed an impenetrable wall.

Mustangs Lexi Souder, Ingersoll, Julia Miller and Enya McGarry were formidable in front of keeper Miranda Alam.

Likewise, Glenelg's defense that included Milani, Laney Treacy, Grace Perry, Jeanine Gezelle, Grace Olson and Paige Reese stood up to the Mustangs' challenge.

"I just stress composure with my defenders. We wanted to keep the ball out as long as we could and push the game into overtime," Frost said.

"It was a tough game. There was a lot of athleticism on Marriotts Ridge's side and they were very well coached," Kincaid said.

Glenelg, Marriotts Ridge and Atholton all shared the county title.

It was the first field hockey county title for Marriotts Ridge.

"Next year we can come out stronger and take the next step and get the region title and we'll keep going until we get the state title," said Marriotts Ridge sophomore Lily Kennedy.

Glenelg 0, Marriotts Ridge 0

(Glenelg wins in sudden-victory strokes)

Strokes: G — Grace Olson, Molly Milani. MR — Keally Ingersoll, Allie McAuley.

Sudden victory strokes: G — Grace Olson. MR — none.

Saves: G — Noelle Frost 14. MR — Miranda Alam 3.

Halftime and regulation: tied, 0-0.

Lillie Miller scored the goal that put Long Reach back into the regional final for the second year in a row. Miller's tally came at the 8:19 mark in the second overtime period and gave the Lightning a 3-2 (2OT) victory over Wilde Lake.

"Lillie went out there and said I'm going to hit it as hard as I can and she did," said Long Reach coach Rashmi Bhanot.

The double overtime game extended both teams to their maximum. It was exciting and exhausting.

The game was "very much back and forth," Bhanot said.

"It was more exciting than I wanted it to be," said Wilde Lake coach Kathy Kern.

Bridget Cavanaugh and Elizabeth Lee scored for Wilde Lake. The Long Reach tallies came from Cloe Dixon and Juliann Garcia.

Wilde Lake goalie Paige Boyer made 35 saves. The Wildecats also received standout play from Cavanaugh and Meghna Manohar.

"We couldn't have won without Lillie, Caroline LaGow or Eryn Malone," Bhanot said.

Long Reach 3, Wilde Lake 2 (2OT)

Goals: LR — Cloe Dixon, Juliann Garcia, Lillie Miller. WL — Bridget Cavanaugh, Elizabeth Lee.

Assists: LR — none. WL — Bridget Cavanaugh.

Saves: LR — Alina Milauskas 8. WL — Paige Boyer 35.

Halftime: tied, 1-1. Regulation: tied, 2-2.

Old Mill scored on its first possession in the first minute of the Class 4A North, Section II final and never let up en route to defeating Howard, 9-1.

"We were out played and out matched," said Howard coach Kristen Vance. "I wish them the best of luck in their playoff run."

Katie Martin scored Howard's lone goal off an assist from Allyson Sloan. Howard goalie Kelly Makar had nine saves.

The Lions, who will graduate five players, finished the season with a 7-7 overall record.

Old Mill 9, Howard 1

Goals: OM — not available. Ho — Katie Martin.

Assists: OM — not available. Ho — Allyson Sloan.

Saves: OM — 11 saves. Ho — Kelly Makar 9.

Halftime: Old Mill, 6-0.

For the second year in a row, Westminster ended Atholton's season. The score was 2-0.

(See related story)

Top-seeded Maryvale defeated Glenelg Country School, 5-1, in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference quarterfinals. Glenelg Country was the eighth seed in the tournament.

The Dragons opened their league season against Maryvale and lost that game, 7-1.

"We've seen much improvement since then," said Glenelg Country School coach Jessica Dolan.

Maryvale built a 4-0 lead before Julia Sheehan scored for Glenelg Country on an offensive corner with an assist from Tessa More.

The Dragons kept the pressure on with strong midfield and attacking play by Sheehan and Megan Hooper. Koko Etokebe, Shagun Kathuria, and Olivia Dwelley led a defense that allowed only five penalty corners.

Etokebe will represent Glenelg Country in the Maryland State Senior All-Star Game in November at Goucher College.

Maryvale 5, Glenelg Country School 1

Goals: M — Belin 2, Ibello 2, Furnari. GCS — Julia Sheehan.

Assists: M — not available. GCS — Tessa More

Saves: M — Aumiller 2, Borelli 2. GCS — Sophie Kalaris 14.

Halftime: Maryvale, 3-0.