“We?re going to the ?ship!” The championship, that is.
That was the Glenelg High field hockey team?s cheer Monday night as players mobbed each other following a 3-1 win over Winters Mill, securing the program?s second Class 2A state final berth in three years.
Next Tuesday, Glenelg will face Hereford at the University of Maryland?s field hockey complex on Nov. 14.
“All our seniors are into it right now and really motivating us,” said Kristy Black, who scored the first two goals for the Gladiators. “We never thought we would make it this far.”
Glenelg coach Ginger Kincaid said the Gladiators (13-4-2) reached the state championship thanks to a balanced attack from players like Amy Thompson (16 goals, 6 assists), Kristen Keravich (9, 10), Kyle Evans (9, 6), Leah Cossentino (9, 4) and Black (9, 6).
“We changed our system, which was radically different from the last five years,” said Kincaid, Glenelg?s 30-year coach with 270 career victories. “We really have to play an attacking posture.”
Monday?s other 2A state semifinal did not have nearly the drama of the first, with Hereford crushing Kent Island, 6-1. In a dominating effort, the Bulls controlled the attack all night long and buried their chances.
“We knew from last year we could get this done,” Hereford?s Mary Katharine Wittelsberger said. “We just went out there and played our game.”
After dropping last year?s state semifinal on strokes despite 30 shots on goal, the Bulls (12-3-1) made few mistakes this year. Their showdown with Glenelg will be a rematch of the 2004 title game, which the Bulls won, 2-0.
“It?s just thrilling to be in the championship game on the turf at College Park,” Mundie said. “That?s something special.”
The 1A state final pits Pocomoke (12-3) against Rising Sun (11-5) on Nov. 13 at College Park. The remaining semifinals take place tonight at 7 p.m., with Severna Park (16-0-1) taking on Fallston (16-1) at South River in the 3A and South River (15-3) facing Dulaney (11-1-2) at Broadneck in the 4A.
