At halftime of Saturday?s Class 3A girls soccer state final, River Hill High coach Brian Song told his players they weren?t playing to win. Those words rang loudly in the ears of his players, who set a goal a year ago to go undefeated in 2006.
“We basically played not to lose, and it was about even,” Song said of a scoreless first half. “We just didn?t get the opportunity.”
Opportunity arrived at a seemingly inopportune time in the second half, when the Hawks earned a corner kick with two key offensive players taking a breather on the bench.
So it fell upon senior Kathryn Bird, whose first career corner found the head of sophomore reserve Kathryn Rodgers, who redirected it into the net with about 17 minutes left in regulation.
With the goal, the Hawks avenged a state semifinal loss last fall and reached their goal of a undefeated campaign (20-0) with a 1-0 win over Bethesda-Chevy Chase at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. It was the Hawks? fifth state title overall and first since 2001.
“It would be an unsatisfying season if we don?t go undefeated this year,” Song said.
Another Howard County team had the same don?t-let-up attitude, which was good for the Class 2A state title. Glenelg picked up the 2A crown with a 1-0 win over Parkside Saturday at UMBC. The Gladiators got the only goal they needed from Blair Maxson, who converted a cross from Ali Novak that snuck through the six-yard goal box.
“When it cleared the goal and I saw Blair closing, I knew it was in,” said Glenelg coach Dean Sheridan. “She?s pretty dependable.”
Sheridan said Parkside kept up the offensive pressure and didn?t allow his team to relax with a lead.
“The best defense is to keep playing offense,” Sheridan said. “Its hard for them to score when you?re on their side of midfield.”
While River Hill navigated an unblemished schedule, the Gladiators? campaign was a tale of two seasons ? a 4-5-1 start and a 7-0-2 finish equaled a 11-5-3 overall mark. It was Glenelg?s third championship and first since 2000.
Smithsburg (Washington County) won its third title ? and second 1A crown in a row ? with a 4-1 win over Perryville (Cecil County) at UMBC Saturday. The 4A title match between Leonardtown and Quince Orchard, which was rained out Thursday, will be played tonight at 7:30 at UMBC.
