For three years, Quince Orchard has anticipated a state championship match with Anne Arundel County powerhouse South River. But an upset always got in the way. Tuesday night at the University of Maryland, it finally happened and for Jenna Ries? Cougars, it was worth the wait.
When sophomore Alissa Peterson knocked a shot into an empty cage in the second overtime, it gave QO a 1-0 victory in the Maryland Class 4A state championship game and a long-awaited victory over the two-time defending state champions.
It was the second state title for QO (16-2), but its first outright. The Cougars shared the 2001 championship when the state final game that year finished tied after two overtime periods. That appearedto be the fate of Tuesday?s match until Peterson?s 16th goal of the season.
With the teams trading fastbreak opportunities in a blistering overtime session, another sophomore, Veronica Kresse got loose on the wing. When South River goalie left the goal line to disrupt Kresse?s shot, the ball bounded to Peterson who shot over a sprawling defender.
South River (17-4) had its opportunities too, but QO goalie Kelsey Flickinger (six saves) was stout. The Seahawks? best chance, however, came with 67 seconds left in regulation when they were awarded a penalty stroke. But South River?s Kellie Dress shot wide, giving the Cougars an overtime reprieve.
Hereford tops Glenelg for fifth 2A state tile
After losing the regional finals on penalty strokes last season, the Hereford field hockey team would not be denied the 2A state title on Tuesday, defeating Glenelg, 2-0.
Behind Lindsay Rirorday (five goals, seven assists) and Lauren Meadowcroft (10, three), the Bulls (12-3-1) took control of the game and held off Glenelg (12-5-2).
“I wanted them to do so well because they work so hard,” said Hereford head coach Tammie Mundie, who won her fourth state title.
The win gives the Bulls five Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association state crowns. For Glenelg, it was their third trip to the finals in the last seven years without claiming a victory.
? Dave Carey
