Howard won its second regional final in four years by beating Sherwood, 16-14, Wednesday afternoon.
Katie Schluederberg had four goals and Jenny Kinsey, Kelsey Savje and Kendall Wells had three goals each as the Lions advance to face Severna Park in a Class 4A/3A state semifinal. The game will be played Saturday at Northeast (AA) High School at 2 p.m.
In the Class 3A/2A South Region final, Century defeated Atholton, 17-6. Atholton closes its season with an 8-7 record.
Howard and Sherwood have become familiar playoff opponents. This is the third year the two teams have met, but the first time Howard has won. Each game has been close.
Sherwood led, 3-0, early, but Howard outscored the Warriors, 6-0, to tip the game in its favor in the last 10 minutes of the half.
"That wasn't a good way end to the first half for us," said Sherwood coach Kelly Hughes. Her team found itself trailing, 10-5, at the break.
Both teams had to reach deep in the second half. Howard upped its lead to seven, but saw Sherwood pull to within two.
"We make an exciting game," said Howard goalie Sam Sagi, who finished with 11 saves. "Sherwood didn't want their season to end; we could feel that, but we just wanted it more."
With different players stepping up throughout the game, the victory was a team effort for Howard.
Emileigh Scott gave the Lions a height advantage on the center draws, which are critical in girls lacrosse.
Grace Regal seemed to be everywhere on the field doing all the little things. She got ground balls, draw control, scored and assisted.
Catherine Sims captained the defense, and when teammate Nicole Keller drew her second yellow card, Allyson Sloan came in to take her place.
"Allyson really did step up when we needed her," Sagi said.
Howard presented a rare test for Sherwood (13-2) which has been stronger than most of its regular season competition.
"We haven't had a lot of opportunities to have to fight for wins," Hughes said. "We spend a lot of the season working on things that we can't even try in games."
Howard was able to do something it has worked on in practice.
The Lions have been brushing up on their clock management. Up by two goals with 2 minutes to play, Howard went into a spread.
"We did a great job of holding the ball," said Howard coach Alleesha Davidson. "There were some scary moments, but they pulled it off."
Davidson said she told her players before the game that their magic number to win was 15.
"Our defense has been holding teams to eight or nine goals," she said.
"I think we all played really well. It was a great team effort," Kinsey said.
Howard 16, Sherwood 14
Goals: Ho — Katie Schluederberg 4, Kelsey Savje 3, Kendall Wells 3, Jenny Kinsey 3, Katie Martin 2, Grace Regal. S — Connor Ganey 6, Taylor Andrews 3, Kristen Russell 2, Emma Lunking, Delaney McMenamin, Ella Booz.
Assists: Ho — Katie Schluederberg 2, Jenny Kinsey 2, Katie Wells 2, Grace Regal, Ella Orzechowski, Kendall Wells. S — Taylor Andrews 2, Emma Lunking, Delaney McMenamin, Kristen Russell, Anna Lippy.
Saves: Ho — Sam Sagi 11. S — Casey Hopkins 12.
Halftime: Howard, 10-5.
Class 3A/2A South region championship
Madi Hall scored six goals and added four assists as Century defeated Atholton, 17-6, to win the South region title.
"They're good; they're fast," said Atholton coach Martie Dyer.
The Raiders tried face-guarding Century midfielder Hannah Warther and they tried a variety of defenses, but the Knights were too strong.
"I only have two seniors and start five sophomores," Dyer said. "I have a really young team. If we could have gotten the draw and gotten down [on attack], we would have scored more."
Century 17, Atholton 6
Goals: C — Madi Hall 6, Kylie Davis 4, Hannah Warther 2, Lucy Hart 2, Marissa Donoghue, Maddie Dickman, Shelby Mercer. A — Meaghan Quinn 4, KK Shepherd 2.
Assists: C — Madi Hall 4, Kylie Davis, Marissa Donoghue, Maddie Dickman. A — KK Shepherd, Emma Johnson.
Saves: C — name not available 2. A — Yasi Brewer 12.
Halftime: Century, 12-4.