When you have a game plan that works, you stick with it.
Score early and often has been No. 1 Glenelg's mantra this season, and the the Gladiators worked it to perfection Wednesday, defeating Queen Anne's, 7-1, in a Class 2A state semifinal at Broadneck.
Glenelg will play Poolesville in an 11 a.m. state final Saturday at Washington College.
Just one minute into Wednesday's game, Glenelg barely missed a tip-in goal, but the Gladiators quickly came back to score. Meagan Guthrie, Alyssa Parker and Meghan Milani put in goals in fast succession, giving their team a 3-0 lead after less than six minutes of play.
"We were expecting a difficult game, but it was shocking [how quickly Glenelg scored]," said Queen Anne's Mollie Stevens.
The Lions (12-4) were making their first trip to the state semifinals, and Glenelg (17-1) wanted to take advantage of that.
"Our thing was to come out hard and strong," Glenelg coach Ginger Kincaid said. "We knew since they were inexperienced here. We knew we could put them back on their heels and there would be no way they could catch us."
Glenelg, the defending Class 2A state champion, was appearing in its fourth consecutive state semifinal.
Parker scored the second of her game-high four goals and Mary Kate Olson added another tally to put Queen Anne's in a 5-0 hole with nearly 12 minutes left in the first half. The five-goal difference forced a running clock.
Stevens put the Lions on the scoreboard with a solo run up the right side of the field for her 14th goal of the season.
Queen Anne's had some other opportunities, but not many.
"If we got off quicker [on attack], we could have easily dodged their defense," Stevens said, "but unfortunately we weren't able to get up [on attack] because we were defending our goal."
"We kept up with Glenelg with good passes and everything," added Queen Anne's coach Stephanie Kevan, "but when they are in the circle, they take every opportunity to score."
After carrying a 5-1 lead into the half, the Gladiators extended their lead to 7-1 with two more Parker goals, her 35th and 36th of the season.
"I've never seen us so excited to play a game," Olson said. "It's like an honor to be here because a lot of teams don't make it. From the start, we just had that energy. We were on our game tonight."
With a comfortable lead, Kincaid was able to get her eight seniors into the game. Those seniors will look to end their careers with another state championship Saturday.
"It was in the back of our minds every game, to get a chance to get back and play in that game," Parker said.
Class 1A: Abbey Shobe scored two goals and added an assist to lead Pocomoke (15-3) over Loch Raven, 7-0, at Franklin. Loch Raven sophomore goalie Cori Kosko made 22 saves for the Raiders (6-10).