Anna Janush will always remember Friday night's win over River Hill. April 17 is the Reservoir senior captain's birthday and her teammates helped her record her first career win over River Hill in any of her sports.
"A perfect birthday gift," Reservoir coach Katie Lee called it.
Reservoir has only beaten River Hill one other time in girls lacrosse. That was also a one-goal game, but it wasn't in the second overtime like Friday's contest.
The score was tied, 9-9, after regulation and 10-all after the first overtime, which consists of two 3-minute halves.
The start of the sudden victory period didn't bode well for Reservoir. River Hill came up with the draw and had the opportunity to dictate the game's outcome.
"The whole game, if you won the draw you pretty much scored," Lee said.
With River Hill in possession, CeCe Bartley, a freshman defender, knocked the ball down, a play that gave the Gators the chance they needed.
Reservoir picked the ball up and started transitioning it from the defensive to the offensive end of the field.
"The ball went through many, many players' hands. The entire team was involved in getting it down field," Lee said.
Once on attack, the Gators calmed down, took a breath and ran their offensive set. Michelle Armstrong tallied the game-winner.
"I saw sticks flying in the air," Lee said. "This is something we have been gunning for. They put in the work and it paid off."
If Armstrong had the winning goal and Bartley the knockdown that turned the game around, midfielder Megan Lieb and goalie Elizabeth Hyde also made huge contributions to the victory.
Lieb won the majority of the draws in overtime and Hyde included some important stops among her 10 saves.
"Elizabeth had the game of her life," Lee said.
Because of their proximity, River Hill and Reservoir are rivals. River Hill has often held the upper-hand in the rivalry, however.
Lee called the victory "a stepping stone. The milestone for our season."
Reservoir, now 4-3 in county play, might also look back at the victory as a turning point in its lacrosse program.
Janush is one of three seniors on the team. Of the squad's 16 players just five are juniors and seniors, but the outcome was a team effort.
"The girls truly, truly played for each other," Lee said.
Reservoir 11, River Hill 10 (2OT)
Goals: Re — Haley Tiller 4, Michelle Armstrong 2, Anna Janush 2, Alexis Bartley, Elena Martino, Alex Sadzewicz. RH — Katie Caddigan 3, Halley Seybold 3, Gabby Hamburger 2, Paige Caprara, Julia Smith.
Assists: Re — Alex Sadzewicz. RH — Gabby Hamburger 2, Emily Hamburger.
Saves: Re — Elizabeth Hyde 10. RH — not available.
Halftime: tied, 4-4.
Regulation: tied, 9-9.
First overtime: tied, 10-10
Other scores:
Marriotts Ridge 18, Wilde Lake 3
Goals: MR — Katie Wardle 4, Hayleigh Simpson 3, Caroline Blalock 2, Annalise Lower 2, Caitlin Ohmnacht 2, Cassie Evans 2, Emma Stukenberg, Casey Sullivan, Cassidy Delaney. WL —Tess Kostelec 2, Kate Glaros.
Assists: MR — Casey Sullivan 2.
Saves: MR — Caroline Moore 6. WL — Jenna Ohler 18.
Halftime: Marriotts Ridge, 10-0.
Chapelgate 12, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 1
Thursday's game:
Catholic 17, Chapelgate 11
Standings (as of April 17)
Mt. Hebron, 6-0 county, 8-0 overall
Glenelg, 6-1, 9-1
Marriotts Ridge, 6-1, 8-1
Centennial, 5-1, 5-1
Howard, 5-2, 8-2
Reservoir, 4-3, 5-4
Atholton, 4-3, 4-3
Hammond, 1-4, 2-5
Long Reach, 1-4, 1-4
River Hill, 1-6, 2-7
Oakland Mills, 0-6, 0-8
Wilde Lake, 0-7, 0-9
Glenelg Country, 7-1 (IAAM B), 7-3
Chapelgate, 3-5 (IAAM C), 4-5