Annapolis Area Christian was the dominant team throughout the 2009 IAAM field hockey season, but the Eagles suffered a 1-0 loss to Mercy in the championship and had to live with the pain for a full year.
Saturday, again as the top seed, the Eagles saw their mettle tested by neighborhood rival Key School in the 2010 C Conference championship game at Goucher College, but this time they pulled through, claiming a 1-0 win, in overtime, for the championship.
Key, the sixth-seed, upset third-seeded Catholic in the opening round of the tournament and steamrolled Oldfields, 6-0, in the semifinals after Oldfields knocked off second-seeded St. Timothy’s. The Obezags continued their surprising post-season by pushing AACS into a overtime after a scoreless regulation. In the regular season, AACS had defeated Key twice by a combined score of 7-1.
The game winning goal was scored by Shelby Triolo, with 3:22 elapsed in the overtime, as she re-directed a shot from Megan Ingley. The score set off a wild celebration for the Eagles and their fans.
Annapolis Area Christian goalkeeper Emily Ferguson was a hero for the champions, as she made six saves to keep Key scoreless, and she received plenty of help from her defense, which repeatedly blocked balls in front and made timely clears.
Key’s defense was perhaps even tougher, allowing just four shots on goal, prior to the eventual game winner.
AACS finished the year with a 12-4 overall record, while Key finished at 9-8-1.
