No. 2 Fallston rolled along unchecked yesterday, scoring twice in the first half and defeating visiting Towson, 2-0, in the Class 2A North regional final.
The result sent the defending state champions into Monday's semifinals at Goucher College.
The Cougars (14-0) dominated much of the first half and cashed in two of their scoring chances with Meredith Weinhold getting both goals. Weinhold, who scored in eight of the Cougars' 12 regular-season games, now has a team-high 10 goals.
Stacey French set up the first goal on a deflection in a crowd in front of Towson goalkeeper Holly Tupper. Lauren Grable, who has five goals, but did not have an assist in her first nine games, made it three assists in the last four games when she got the ball to Weinhold in the closing moments of the half.
Although Fallston has not lost in the last two years (29-0-1), and has allowed only one goal in its last 23 games, coach Alice Puckett still has come concerns.
"For all the chances we're getting, we should be scoring more," she said of a team that is averaging three goals a game. "What did we have, 10 corners in the second half? And we didn't finish off any of them. That's mental. It's a matter of focus."
At the beginning of the season, Puckett was more worried about defense than offense, but her defense has come along to be a force, while the offense, of late, has not been taking full advantage of opportunities.
Towson (11-3) came into the game off a double-overtime victory over rival Loch Raven that was decided on penalty strokes, and while coach Pat Troyer got good play from some players, "They all weren't on." Tupper and defender Katie Walker were particularly effective.
One of the problems was, "We did not use the alleys enough, and with wings Leslie Finn and Kathy Gibbons, this is usually a strength," said Troyer. The Generals have 14 seniors, nine of whom have played together for several years.
Fallston finished its regular season against traditionally strong Cecil County teams -- Rising Sun and Elkton -- and came into the postseason playing well. One of the team's defensive strengths has been the play of junior Barbara Ordes.
"This is my second year on varsity, and I think we're more of a team this season," she said. "We're a good mix of players and everybody contributes. I know I had to come back from an early injury, and I think the work I've done has helped me improve. Overall, I think our skills complement each other."
Last year's team was more offensive-minded, with two or three players dominating the scoring. This year, the team has had 11 different goal-scorers.
* Pikesville 3, Oakland Mills 1: Stefany Flax scored twice to pace No. 4 Pikesville (14-0) past Oakland Mills (6-6-1) in 2A South action. Pikesville outshot Oakland Mills, 9-2.
* Bel Air 1, Franklin 0, 2OT: Becky Fox and Joie Acosta each scored as Bel Air (12-2) won a 3A East quarterfinal by winning a shootout, 2-0, after two scoreless overtimes.