The field hockey postseason began Thursday, and all 12 Howard County public school teams played, but just six — Glenelg, Mt. Hebron, Marriotts Ridge, Howard, Long Reach and Wilde Lake — notched victories to earn the right to keep playing.
For Atholton, Centennial, Hammond, Oakland Mills, Reservoir and River Hill, the season's over.
"We only have four seniors, but, of course, it's hardest on them," said River Hill coach Shelly Chamness following her team's 4-1 loss to Glenelg.
Regional semifinal games are slated for Monday, Oct. 28.
Class 3A East (Section II)
While co-county champion Mt. Hebron sailed past Reservoir, 7-0, Atholton stumbled at Westminster, losing, 3-0.
For Atholton, there was too much to overcome.
"It was the perfect storm of awfulness," said Atholton coach Martie Dyer. "I'm sad because I know how good my team is."
The Raiders, who won the Class 3A state title last fall, are a team with turf skills and turf speed; grass is their Kryptonite.
The Westminster field is a throwback to the older days of field hockey. Their field predates Bermuda grass fields.
"The field has divits all over the place," Dyer said.
But that wasn't the whole story. Twelve minutes into the game, Jen Bleakney, one of Atholton's leading scorers, was hit in the head and taken from the field by ambulance. She ended up receiving two staples in her head.
With Bleakney off the field, Westminster was able to hone in on the Raiders' other top scorer, Rachel Day.
In addition, Dyer said the game was very physical.
"We're in shock right now," Dyer said. "The sad thing is it's an ugly end to the season."
It was the only time this year Atholton (10-3) has been shut out.
Westminster 3, Atholton 0
Goals: W - Maddy Walsh, Katie Taylor, Molly Devlin. A- none.
Assists: W – Sophie Defeo, Maddy Walsh.
Saves: W- no name 5. A - Clinch 9
Halftime: 0-0.
Tianna Wallpher and Monica Linn each scored twice as Mt. Hebron defeated Reservoir.
"I feel like Reservoir was stronger than when we played them before," said Mt. Hebron coach Jeannette Ireland.
"They're a good team and they have the makings of a really good program. They are on their way."
Reservoir goalie Connie Chung turned aside 16 Mt. Hebron shots. Allie Costenbader led the Gators on the field.
Mt. Hebron hosts Westminster Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
The two teams have some recent history. They met in the state finals two years ago with Westminster winning in double overtime.
“I was just starting to think about strokes, when “bang” they scored” Ireland said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us” Monday.
Mt. Hebron 7, Reservoir 0
Goals: MH – Tianna Wallpher 2, Monica Linn 2, Ally Unkenholz, Natalie Fyock, Sara Rochester. Re – none.
Assists: MH – Lauren Schaaf, Molly Bishop, Katie Anderson.
Saves: MH – Chachi Kelehan 2, Sara Seen 0. Re – Connie Chung 16.
Halftime: Mt. Hebron, 3-0.
Class 4A North (Section II)
Howard goalkeeper Allison Jakubek never had to make a save as the Lions defeated Glen Burnie, 8-1, in a Section II quarterfinal game.
Annette Jarosz had three goals and an assist as seven different players figured in Howard's scoring.
The Lions play at Old Mill at 5 p.m., Oct. 28 in the sectional semifinals.
Howard 8, Glen Burnie 1
Goals:
Ho – Annette Jarosz 3, Taylor Motley, Nicole Keller, Megan Green, Maddie Regal, Brittany Gillespie. GB – Nelka.
Assists:
Ho – Emily Penn 2, Jessica Heinrich, Annette Jarosz, Nicole Keller, Taylor Motley, Maddie Regal. GB – Owens.
Saves:
Ho – Allison Jakubek 0, GB – Hamner 31.
Halftime:
Howard, 4-0.
Class 2A East (Section I)
The play that worked once worked four times for Glenelg against River Hill in a section quarterfinal.
Megan Taylor set up all four of Stephanie Asher goals in the game.
"It's the combination of the two of them that is so good," said Glenelg coach Ginger Kincaid.
The third player in the combination is midfielder Morgan Philie, who gets the ball to Taylor.
"I think we limited Megan and Stephanie, but Morgan hurt us today," said River Hill coach Shelly Chamness. "We had a few bad passes that went directly to her and that hurt us because she got Genelg back on offense quickly."
Glenelg led 1-0 at the half but it was obvious that the team that won would need more than one goal.
"We were ready to take them on," said River Hill midfielder Jillian Kelley.
"I think everybody played well," Chamness said. "Dani Schwab played an awesome game. That's the best Caleigh (Covell's) ever played and I thought Rachel Banilow was stellar stopping Glenelg from coming back so many times."
Covell, a sophomore, scored River Hill's lone goal off an assist from Schwab. Glenelg was ahead, 3-0, at the time.
"They're the hardest team we've played by far," Covell said
Glenelg 4, River Hill 1
Goals: G – Stephanie Asher 4. RH – Caleigh Covell.
Assists: G – Megan Taylor 4. RH – Dani Schwab
Saves: G – Amanda Hoyt 0. RH – Sierra Kelly 11.
Halftime: Glenelg, 1-0.
After losing two starters to injury near the end of the regular season, Marriotts Ridge is still trying to find the most effective combination. Mustangs coach Stacie Gado brought up seven JV players for the post season and one — Caroline Blalock has earned a starting spot.
Marriotts Ridge defeated Centennial in overtime four games ago. Thursday's 3-0 victory marks the progress that the Mustangs are making in coming together as a team and filling those two starting spots.
"I like playing Centennial," said Gado. "It's always a good game and they are competitive when we play them."
One thing the Mustangs did differently against Centennial this time was to not wait until the second half as they have done all season.
Thursday, Marriotts Ridge scored all three of its goals in the first half.
"Our girls are proud knowing that they came come out and have a good first half. If we can put it together (first and second halves) on Monday, we'll be very happy with that.," Gado said.
Marriotts Ridge plays at Glenelg at 3:30 Oct. 28. The will be the section champion and advance to the regional semifinals.
Marriotts Ridge 3, Centennial 0
Goals: MR - Jasmine Williams 2, Allie McAuley. C – none.
Assists: MR – Allie McAuley, Katie Berdy, Maddie Courtney.
Saves: Sophia Hamilton 10. C – Anna Cosentino 3.
Halftime: Marriotts Ridge, 3-0.
Class 2A East (Section II)
Thirteen games into the season Wilde Lake finally tasted victory for the first time. The Wildecats defeated Oakland Mills, 1-0. The Scorpions won an earlier meeting between the two teams, 4-1.
Oakland Mills dominated Thursday's game, outshooting the Wildecats, 21-4.
"They pretty much had possession of the ball," said Wilde Lake coach Samantha McElvaney.
Wilde Lake managed to get the ball into its offensive end and drew a corner with less than a minute to play.
Nicole Sciabarra sent the ball to Bridget Cavanaugh who passed the ball back to Sciabarra for the score.
"They scored with 40 seconds left," said Oakland Mills coach Nikki Trunzo.
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Oakland Mills had a perfect scoring opportunity earlier in the game when the team was awarded a stroke. Wilde Lake keeper Paige Boyer (12 saves) stopped the stroke, though.
"Oakland Mills' Jordan Kerr and Olivia Eldridge were phenomenal players," McElvaney said.
The Wilde Lake coach also complimented two of her players — Boyer and Marissa Sciabarra for their "amazing games."
McElvaney said her team was speechless following its win. "It was a hard working season full of sad times but it's paying off. They've worked extremely hard."
Scoring two goals against River Hill in the last game of the regular season gave her team confidence, McElvaney said.
Wilde Lake will play Long Reach on Monday.
Wilde Lake 1, Oakland Mills 0
Goals: WL – Nicole Sciabarra. OM – none
Assists: WL – Bridget Cavanaugh.
Saves: WL – Paige Boyer 12. OM – not available.
Halftme: tied, 0-0.
Long Reach 6, Hammond 0
Goals: LR - Cloe Dixon 3, Jess Bates 2, Suki Sandhu. Ha – none.
Assists: LR – Suki Sandhu 2, Lillie Miller, Jess Bates.
Saves: LR – Nicole Cote 1. Ha – Greer Guzzone 8, Kathleen Morias 3.
Halftime: tied, 0-0.