FREDERICK - Work from the South River offense came in the first half. The defense, solid throughout, was most prominent in the second half. And the midfield was on just about every ball from start to finish.
In last night's Class 4A East regional final, there was only one way to describe the No. 2 Seahawks' satisfying 1-0 win over defending state girls soccer champion Thomas Johnson: complete.
Sophomore midfielder Rachel Fry headed home a cross from junior Crystal Curry in the 36th minute for the 1-0 lead, a fitting completion to a half the Seahawks (15-1-1) largely controlled. And then, when the Patriots tried to break through in the second half, there was simply no room.
The Seahawks, who were co-state champs in 1996 and '97, will make their fourth state playoff appearance at 7:30 p.m. Monday, when they meet Quince Orchard in the semifinals at Perry Hall. In knocking out the defending champion, the Seahawks returned the favor from last year's regional final, when the Patriots (12-4-1) came away with a 2-0 win.
"It really was a complete effort," said South River coach Keith Fontaine. "We got the one goal we needed, and then the defense played strong. Any time they came with a wave of pressure, we bent but didn't break, and then kept attacking with counters."
To the ball first and putting together more passes in the first half, the Seahawks were able to find the key finish late when Curry found Fry alone at the far post after a corner kick.
"Crystal did the hard part. A lot of times you get a cross on the ground, but she did a good job of getting it over the top over the keeper. I had a lot of space, and all I had to do was head it in," Fry said.
The defense - Amy Morrison, Kristin Distad, Abby Rocher and Nina Firmani - handled most of the rest. Keeper Jacque Sutphin finished with four saves.
"We knew they had fast, talented forwards. Our defenders worked hard to stay on their marks and then did well to turn the ball back up," Fontaine said.
The final save from Sutphin that had to be made came with four minutes left. Thomas Johnson's Jennifer Thackston served a dangerous corner kick that bounced around in the middle before Sutphin covered up.
"I went up for the ball and got hit in the elbow, so I didn't come down with it," Sutphin said. "Then the ball came down and I thought I jumped on it, but I didn't have it. Then I flew back up and it was right there."