Since she started playing field hockey, Loch Raven's Lauren Volk has dreamed about scoring a goal in overtime in the state championships.
Yesterday, her dream came true.
The Raiders junior forward deflected a free hit from teammate Amber Marcum to lift unbeaten and No. 5 Loch Raven over defending champion Chopticon, 2-1, for the Class 2A state title at Goucher College.
"This has always been my dream," said Volk, who scored both goals for the Raiders (14-0-2). "Everybody knew that, but our team worked so well together today. This is the best game we've ever played together."
The physical game that took more than an hour and a half to complete came down to a seven-on-seven, sudden-death overtime.
Volk, who scored seven of the Raiders' 11 playoff goals, nearly ended it early when she broke away and carried the ball three-quarters of the field into the circle. Her shot, however, carried wide of the cage.
Next, Chopticon (11-5) threatened with a couple of shots, but Raiders keeper Cho Toung saved one and sweeper Karena McCray blocked the second and drove it out.
Quickly, the Raiders moved the ball downfield. Chopticon's defense fought off the first wave of their attack. But a defensive foul just outside the circle set up Marcum's free hit five minutes into overtime.
"I didn't want to drive it because I was afraid I couldn't keep it on the ground," said Marcum. "But I knew if I did, Lauren could get it in, so I just drove it. You can always depend on her to get it in."
The Raiders, who last won a state title in 1987, dominated Chopticon with 15 penalty corners and 24 shots. The St. Mary's County squad managed just eight shots and four corners.
Loch Raven got off to a quick start on Volk's first goal 11 minutes into the game. In the circle, Volk deflected the ball past Braves' defender Kirsten Goodpaster to set up her own score.
The Braves never marked Volk tightly and her teammates kept going to her again and again.
Min Song lifted the ball nicely to her at least a half-dozen times in the first half. Sophomore right wing Gia Trionfo, who did an excellent job forcing obstructions to move the ball down the alley, crossed the ball into the circle to Volk several times.