It was a productive Saturday for Glenelg at Annapolis High School. Not only did the Gladiators match last season's win total, but also – after defeating Kent Island 5-1, and Walkersville in penalty kicks – clinched a Crab Pot Invitational tournament championship as well.
"I think it's a really good start and lifts up the confidence for the whole team," said Glenelg sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Henderson after winning the 5-4 decision against the Lions in penalty kicks. "Last year I know we didn't have very many wins and we got rid of a lot of seniors, so it is a lot of new players but I think this is really going to boost how we're going to play the whole season."
After handily defeating the Buccaneers in the opening round game earlier that morning, the Gladiators were set up for a rematch against the Lions who earned their first win of the year after beating Annapolis 1-0.
Walkersville earned a 2-0 win over Glenelg in a scrimmage Tuesday at Glenelg High School, but in Saturday's contest Henderson and the Gladiators defense stayed firm and did not concede a goal in the contest.
"It was a good day," said Glenelg coach Andrew Shearer. "It was positive. We played as a team today; it was great. We actually lost to them 2-0 in a scrimmage and to come back and respond to that it's fantastic. We were down players and they showed a lot of resiliency."
Walkersville put up a few more chances on net than the Gladiators in the first half, but could not connect. The Lions earned three corners and two free kick's within their offensive zone, but were unable to get anything dangerous on net.
Glenelg suffered an early blow in the game as junior captain Anna Callahan went down with an injury, following a hard slide tackle about halfway through the first period.
Callahan did not reenter, and according to Shearer will miss about 10 days. However, the Gladiators didn't let the loss of Callahan deter their play.
"When you see a player go down like that you want to play for them," Shearer said. "I think that's what we did. We played for each other – Anna will be happy."
Walkersville out-shot Glenelg 6-2 in the second half, as the Lions earned a multitude of chances within their offensive third. They were given three free kick's inside the Gladiators half, along with three corner kicks as well. Nothing too dangerous was put on Henderson, however, as she finished with eight saves in 100 minutes of action.
"We're good in the air. We have some big tall bodies that attack the ball with their heads and the way the conditions were with the wind and everything it's going to be difficult for goalkeepers, so we wanted to get a lot of serves in the box and make their defense move side to side. That's always our plan is to get balls in the box," said Walkersville coach Paul Bryan. "We played Glenelg on Tuesday night at their place and we put them 2-0. They made some adjustments and they got players behind the ball."
The best chance of the afternoon came with just seconds remaining in regulation, as Glenelg was given a free kick about 20 yards from the box. Freshman midfielder Taylor Carter quickly stepped up and sent a booming shot heading toward the back of the net, but Lions goalkeeper Jazzmin Salters (four saves) got up and punched the potential game-winner over the crossbar, preserving the tie and ultimately forcing extra time.