The field hockey playoffs are now in full swing this week, with a number of intriguing regional semifinal matchups where the quality of play could be on the level of a state championship.
South River coach Katie Corcoran knows this all too well. Her two-time defending Class 4A champion Seahawks (13-3) host Arundel (12-3) in a 4A East Region semifinal game today. The visiting Wildcats advanced past the quarterfinals with a 9-0 win over Thomas Stone. South River moved on with a 12-0 win over Meade.
The bracket gets no easier for the winner of that game. The other half of the bracket features top-seeded Broadneck (11-1-1), which hosts Chesapeake-AA (9-6). All four teams know each other, having played in the regular season in Anne Arundel County.
“Every game from here on out, we need to play our best because of all the talent that?s in our region,” Corcoran said.
In Class 3A, some of the most storied programs in the state are still alive, including Severna Park, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Fallston, which have won 15, 13 and nine state titles respectively. However, there are a number of other schools that are either on the upswing or are looking to return to past glory.
“There are up to eight teams in the 3A that have a legitimate shot at winning a state title,” said Mount Hebron coach Jeannette Ireland, whose team plays at Severna Park.
One of those schools is Westminster (10-2-1), which has won five state titles, but none since 2001. The Owls play at Montgomery County?s B-CC in a 3A West semifinal Tuesday. The other half of the bracket features North Carroll (10-2), which hosts Linganore. North Carroll defeated Westminster in the regular season, 2-1.
Also looking to make astatement in the 3A is North Harford (9-4-1), which has played tough all season, including narrowly losing to Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference champion Fallston in the regular season. Both could meet again in Thursday?s 3A North final if North Harford beats Franklin and Fallston defeats Towson.
“We are very excited right now,” North Harford coach Lori Mitchell said. “We played a tough schedule all year to get ready for this point, and the girls really understand the game much better now than when I started as coach two years ago.”
