After graduating 12 seniors, Westminster's field hockey team appeared headed for a rebuilding season this fall - until its first game.
Yesterday, in a clash of 2007 state tournament teams, the unranked Owls edged Carroll County opponent and No. 10 Century, 2-1, on Amber Nichols' goal with 1:59 left in overtime.
Nichols, a quick senior forward, took a long pass from Jordan Wilkins and slipped it by Century goalkeeper Jenny Gilbert, who had stopped three previous overtime shots.
"She stepped out, went to kick it and I was just reaching far forward," Nichols said. "Luckily, when I stuck my stick out, it tapped the ball, trying to tap it away from her, and it slowly rolled in."
Things don't get easier for the Owls, who got their first goal from Meghan Macera, as they play host to No. 11 Winters Mill on Monday afternoon.
More field hockey
No. 6 Fallston 7, Mount Hebron 1: : Senior Rachel Cooke scored twice and fellow senior Lindsey Puckett had two assists to lead the visiting Cougars to a season-opening win. With just a 2-1 halftime lead, the Cougars outscored the Vikings 5-0 in the second half and finished with six different goal scorers.
No. 15 North Carroll 1, No. 11 Winters Mill 1 (North Carroll wins shootout, 3-2): : Andrea Danton scored the deciding penalty stroke and goalie Caitlin Bach recorded five saves to lead the Panthers to a big season-opening win in Carroll County.
Girls soccer
No. 1 McDonogh 4, Episcopal (Pa.) 0: : Senior Gigi Mangione scored twice and added an assist to lead the Eagles over Episcopal in the opening game of the McDonogh Tournament. The Eagles are scheduled to play Sacred Heart (Ky.) at 9 a.m. today, weather permitting.
No. 4 Archbishop Spalding 4, Arundel 0: : All-Metro senior Erica Page scored two goals and added an assist as the Cavaliers scored all four of their goals in the second half at Anne Arundel Community College's Pioneer Shootout. Courtney Hoyes opened the scoring in the game's 53rd minute, working her way down the left side before cutting back and sending a shot from 20 yards to the far corner. The tournament, originally scheduled to resume today, was postponed until Monday.
No. 5 Fallston 3, No. 13 Mercy 1: : Senior Erin Lynn scored less than 10 minutes into the game to set the tone, and sophomore Sydney Blomquist and senior Jess Steiner added first-half goals to give the visiting Cougars a 3-0 halftime lead on their way to a season-opening win.
Boys soccer
No. 3 Archbishop Curley 3, No. 15 Loch Raven 1: : Behind 1-0 early in the second half, the host Friars (1-1) scored three unanswered goals to get the win. Senior Chris Weaver tied the score off an assist from goalie John Connolly in the 55th minute before Mikias Teketele scored the unassisted game-winner 10 minutes later. Taylor Bechtel provided a late insurance goal off a pass from Weaver. The Raiders took a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the second half on a goal from Bryan Barron.
No. 9 Fallston 9, Patterson Mill 0: : The Cougars' eight-year coach, Chris Hoover, earned his 100th career win with Dominic Welsh providing four goals. It was Patterson Mill's first varsity game.
NOTE: : The majority of today's scheduled games were either postponed or canceled because of the expected inclement weather.