Picking an overtime lineup is a key element of field hockey strategy. Facing the situation Wednesday in the Maryland state semifinals, how did Quince Orchard coach Jenna Ries decide who to play?
She let senior defender Kelsey Richards decide for her. Not only did Richards prove adept at decision-making, she made the key play as QO defeated Whitman, 1-0.
Hustling for a ball deep in the defensive half, Richards got possession and ran it upfield, setting up a penalty corner the Cougars converted. When senior Emily Ellenberger deflected a hard shot by junior Alicia Vincenty into the cage, it sent QO to the Class 4A state championship game.
The Cougars will play defending state champion South River Tuesday at the University of Maryland.
“The only smart thing I did tonight was have Kelsey Richards pick the lineup for overtime,” said Ries. “I said, ‘You pick the seven players.’”
One of the Cougars Richards couldn’t pick was junior Natalie Ellenberger (5 goals, 11 assists), the team’s fastest player, who suffered a knee injury three minutes in.
But Richards picked the right players for the task of penalty corners. Senior Colleen Childs inserted to Vincenty, who fired from the top of the circle, leading to Emily Ellenberger’s 17th goal of the year.
It was QO’s 14th corner of the game. Until then, the Cougars were stymied by Whitman seniors Emily Urciolo (seven saves) and Joanna Townsend. Playing the “fly” position on corners, Townsend raced to derail several QO chances. When QO scored the game winner, however, Townsend was not in the game.
“That’s the girl (Emily Ellenberger) I was marking the whole game,” said Townsend. “It’s the worst feeling, to have played so well, with so much at stake, and still lose.”
Deciding which players to use and which to hold for the second overtime is a calculated gamble. Wednesday night, QO played their cards right.
“They’ve been playing together so long,” said Reis. “They’re almost too mature. At this point, some things are in their court.”
Playoff savvy
» It was Quince Orchard’s seventh state semifinal appearance in nine years, all under Jenna Ries, who has a career record of 120-24-6.
» It was Whitman’s ninth state semifinal appearance in 12 years, all under coach Mary Pat Veihmeyer, who is 258-130-10 in her career.
» The only state title either team has won came in 2001 when QO tied Westminster, 0-0. By Maryland rule, teams that tie in a state soccer or field hockey final are declared co-champions.
