History repeated itself Thursday at Howard County’s Cedar Lane Park, where Glenelg Country topped Maryvale Prep in the IAAM B Conference field hockey semifinals for a second straight year.
Following up on last year’s victory over the Lions in 1v1 overtime, which sent the Dragons to their first league final since 2003, this year’s GCS squad earned a trip to the champonship game with a 1-0 win.
There was one difference this year, however, as Glenelg Country had to carry the pressure of being the top seed. As the game remained scoreless deep into the second half, the pressure continued to build. The Dragons, however, got the only goal they would need when Allie Pickens hit a rocket into the cage, from the top of the circle. Sam Weinstein created the opportunity when her hard shot was defelcted by Maryvale goalkeeper Katie Lutz.
“Maryvale was fast and led by strong play from Sam Darcangelo,” said Glenelg Country coach Jessica McAdams. “]We] relied on the hits and stick work from Pickens and sophomore midfielder Nicole Rieu to get the ball up field to senior forwards Sam Weinstein and Claire McAuliffe.”
On the defensive end, Glenelg Country standout sophomore goalie Sarah Bates held strong, making five saves to earn her twelfth shut out of the season. Maryvale held the advantage in offensive penalty corners, 15-9, but was stopped by Bates and the defensive corner group of seniors McAuliffe, Alexa Olney and Brittney Jorgenson, as well as sophomore KevynAnn Jorgenson.
The Dragons will now square off with John Carroll on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m., in the B Conference championship at Goucher College.
