It was game time Saturday afternoon and the Reservoir and Westminster teams were warming up, but the officials were nowhere to be found.
They thought the Class 4A/3A North Region, Section I semifinal game was supposed to be played at Westminster.
"I told my team that the officials weren't used to coming here for a second-round playoff game," quipped Reservoir coach Katie Lee.
That may be changing. Although Westminster defeated the home team, 20-9, and will play Howard Monday for the sectional title, Reservoir is starting to make its presence known in the world of girls lacrosse.
In her fifth year as head coach, Lee has put an eager, young team on the field. Westminster, led with four goals each by Jess Schuchardt, Sophie Detrow and Tori McDonald, was the more talented squad, but Reservoir made a game effort even after the Owls forced a running clock late in the game.
Westminster picked the Gators' defense apart near the goal circle. At least three of the Owls' goals came on quick-stick shots, a scoring move that is a combination of timing and precision passing.
"We have worked a lot on making the cut, making the feeds and doing a good job of challenging the goal," McDonald said.
Westminster coach Rob Shreeve said his team, now 8-6, has been working hard on both its close defense and its close attack, and that has benefited the team on both ends of the field.
"The last couple of games we have really stared to gel," he said. "Hopefully, we are peaking at just the right time."
Although her high school athletic career is over, Anna Janush said this is the best lacrosse team she has been on at Reservoir.
"Really the change from my freshman year to my senior year has been absolutely amazing. I think my freshman year we won maybe two games. We were losing to teams that we now beat by at least 10 goals," she said. "Each year we keep getting better and better. I hope the team can continue to do that after we leave."
Janush, an attack, defender Darci Fehr and midfielder Alexis Bartley are the only seniors on the Reservoir team.
"I thought we played a good last game, we just didn't come out on top," Janush said.
"I'm super proud of my girls for keeping it together and playing hard," Lee said. "We're ready to start next year where we are leaving off."
Janush had two goals in the game, but sophomores Haley Tiller (three), Alex Sadzewicz (two) and Michelle Armstrong (two) also scored.
Reservoir, 7-8 overall, produced its best record in five years.
Westminster 20, Reservoir 9
Goals: W — Jess Schuchardt 4, Sophie Detrow 4, Tori McDonald 4, Cameron McKelvin 3, Paige Sedlar 2, Amy Jarvis 2, Courtney Battles. Re — Haley Tiller 3, Anna Janush 2, Alex Sadzewicz 2, Michelle Armstrong 2.
Assists: W — Jess Schuchardt 3, Sophie Defeo 2, Paige Sedlar 2, Amy Jarvis 2, Cameron McKelvin, Alex Eckert, Tori McDonald. Re — Haley Tiller 3.
Saves: W — Sam Stinson 10, Taylor Gauss. Re —Elizabeth Hyde 6.
Halftime: Westminster, 10-8.