Thick fog lent a surreal atmosphere to the Maryland 3A state field hockey championship game. Even when the fog lifted in the second half, there was little clarity in a hotly contested match-up of perennial state powers Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Fallston.
With the specter of co-champions hanging over the game deep in the second overtime, Fallston finally brought the picture into focus. Sophomore Caitlin Dempsey’s goal with 3 minutes, 11 seconds left, gave Fallston a 1-0 win.
“We had to do it for our seniors,” said Dempsey. “We came so far, we didn’t want to walk out of here with a tie.”
Dempsey’s goal came on a penalty corner, the Cougars’ third of the second overtime session. Senior JoEllen Sumego blasted a shot that B-CC goalie Claire Vieth (three saves) stopped, but the rebound came to Dempsey who delivered the game winner.
“I reverse sticked it and it went right through the goalie’s legs,” said Dempsey. “I’ve never had the winning goal. It’s awesome, amazing, to do it in a state championship.”
In winning its first state championship since 2001 and 10th overall, Fallston (16-2-1) defeated one of the state’s most storied programs. B-CC (16-4) was gunning for its 14th state title and 11th in 15 seasons under coach Amy Wood.
“B-CC definitely put up a fight,” said junior midfielder Krissy Fusco. “They’re so good. Beating a team like that makes us feel great.”
Both teams attacked in a spectacular second half. Led by Annie Cohen and April Cahill, B-CC made several promising connections, but had trouble finishing. After withstanding several B-CC opportunities, Fallston reversed the momentum late in the second half.
All of Fallston’s state titles have come under 25-year coach Alice Puckett, who has a 322-62-18 career record.
