A pair of Howard County teams remains the Baltimore metro area?s lone hope for a state title in high school girls soccer this weekend.
Both River Hill (19-0) and Glenelg (10-5-3) play Saturday at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, with River Hill battling Bethesda-Chevy Chase (15-2) for the Class 3A championship at 12 p.m., while Glenelg takes on Parkside (17-0) in the 2A final at 2:30.
River Hill and Glenelg both have enjoyed state title success before. The two programs have combined for seven titles, all of which came between 1997 and 2001.
“Generally speaking, there should be two Howard County teams in [the state finals] every year,” Glenelg coach Dean Sheridan said. “I?m a little prejudiced, but I think Howard County plays the best soccer in the state.”
River Hill is in search of the program?s fifth title, and first since 2001, having made a solid run throughout the playoffs as the No. 1 seed from the 3A East Region. Despite a target on their backs, the Hawks have won two games by a combined 11-0 score, while the other two have come down to one goal. The first of those games was a 3-2 overtime win over county rival Centennial in the regional quarterfinals.
“It?s one of those games you dominate but you can?t put the ball in the net,” Hawks coach Brian Song said at the time.
Glenelg has seen some tough games, as well. After earning the No. 4 seed in the 2A South Region, the Gladiators toppled Calvert, 3-0, in the quarterfinals before enduring on a string of close contests. They reached the regional final with a 1-0 win over No. 1 seed Atholton. The most exciting contest, however, was a penalty-kick victory over Oakland Mills to win the 2A South championship.
Rigorous competition isn?t strange for Glenelg. Sheridan?s squad played the likes of Severna Park, Archbishop Spalding and John Carroll in its non-conference schedule. Some early-season losses against that tough schedule hurt the team?s confidence, but the Gladiators have found their stride at the right time.
“Not only is it desire and mental toughness, it is how much pain and effort are you willing to endure to win,” Sheridan said.
Glenelg has reached the state final four times, most recently losing in 2003. The Gladiators won state titles in 1997, 1999 and 2000.
“I?m almost sure all the bad teams are out of it,” Sheridan said with a laugh. “They didn?t win five in a row. They?re all gone. At this point, everybody can play.”
