Howard girls soccer upsets South River, 2-0, to advance to first state final

The Lions (12-4) have played their best soccer of the year in the last four games. Grant said after avenging a playoff loss to Sherwood in the regional semifinals, momentum started to build.

The first-year coach foreshadowed this moment before the season started. She had a feeling this team was going to accomplish what no other team in program history had achieved.

The Lions dominated from the opening whistle until the final horn.

Senior Nia Elbeck scored her 17^th goal of the season and fourth of the playoffs after a give-and-go from midfield. She touched the ball past the outstretched arms of Seahawks junior goalie Emily Proctor and into the right corner for a 1-0 lead in the 5^th minute.

Howard struck again in the 30^th minute, this time with Elbeck on the giving end.

After she dribbled past two defenders, her through-ball found junior Sarah Cocozza on the right side inside the box. Her perfectly placed floating shot over Proctor into the upper-left part of the goal gave Howard a two-goal edge.

But it was the defense that made the game look easy. South River had few opportunities to score as the Lions defense swarmed to the ball inside their third.

The Lions have outscored their four-playoff opponents 9-1, allowing only a last-second goal to Catonsville in the regional final.

For South River (15-4), it was a disappointing end to a memorable season.

South River had only a few chances, but all were close to resulting in goals.

In the 24^th minute, a corner kick bounced off the far-post, and Grant made a great stop seconds later on a shot toward the right corner.

A goal in the 50^th minute off a free kick from senior Katie Berkowitz was disallowed because of goalie interference.