For the Perry Hall Gators, last night was all too painfully familiar to last season.
This time might be even more heartbreaking.
Dominating the Class 4A girls soccer championship game at rain-soaked UMBC Stadium most of the way against seemingly overmatched Quince Orchard, the No. 2 Gators couldn't find the necessary goal for 80 minutes of regulation and the first 12 minutes of extra time.
In the 93rd minute, the Cougars from Montgomery County did.
Senior Brooke Manger put away a bouncing ball in front, sent in by Brittany Dorsey from the right side and passed along by Samerria Crowder, giving the Cougars a 1-0 victory and their first state title.
The Gators, who hoped last year's state runner-up effort against Thomas Johnson would help get them over the hump this year, fell one game short for the second straight year.
"You have to adjust to the way the field conditions are, the game turned on one play -- it was a good goal by them and they deserved to win," said Perry Hall coach Brad Kressman. "I know it's disappointing to the girls, but we'll be back. It gives us something to work for again, just like last year. This team has a lot of character so I'll know we'll be back."
The steady rain caused patches of puddles that disrupted play on the artificial turf, making it difficult for either team to create much offense. The Gators (14-2) had more -- a 12-6 advantage in shots and will look back on opportunities that went for naught.
With the possibility of co-champs coming closer and closer, the Cougars (9-1-1) finally found the mark, Manger chipping a shot over Perry Hall keeper Catherine Vecchioni from 6 yards.
"Something went their way and not our way," said Perry Hall senior striker Lori Carpenter, who led the Gators with 17 goals. "It's horrible. We really wanted it this year. We came out here, had our chances and didn't take them."
Getting to the ball first and occasionally behind the Quince Orchard defense, Perry Hall carried the play in a scoreless first half.
Freshman striker Jessica Knight had two quality scoring chances. In the 11th minute, she chased down a through ball and got a shot off from 15 yards, but Cathy Flores went slightly to her right for the save. Five minutes later, she had space in front and let one go from 8 yards that Flores again handled.
Most of the Cougars' pressure came from counters with Crowder getting to a bouncing ball inside the penalty area just before keeper Brittany Gelwicks, but her header went wide of the open net in the 24th minute.
"It was a great year for the girls -- [Baltimore] county champs again, [North] region champs again and a great performance in the state semifinal [a 6-0 win over Laurel]. It just wasn't meant to be for us tonight and that's soccer -- credit Quince Orchard," Kressman said.