Different coach, same result.
That?s the feeling surrounding Severna Park?s boys lacrosse team, which reached the Class 4A-3A state final with a 15-5 semifinal victory over Westminster Saturday at Annapolis High.
The Falcons (15-2) will be trying for their second straight championship when they face Wootton (16-0) at 8 p.m. Wednesday at UMBC Stadium. The Patriots became the first-ever Montgomery County team ? boys or girls ? to win a state tournament game when they beat Dulaney, 9-7, Friday night.
For Severna Park coach Larry Kramer, the state final appearance has even more meaning since he is in his first season with the Falcons. Kramer, who coached at fellow Anne Arundel County school Northeast in 2006, took over the program from former coach Jimmy Beardmore right before the start of the season.
Kramer said he doesn?t know much about Wootton except what he saw during a preseason scrimmage against the Patriots. He doesn?t plan to take much from that in his current preparation.
“That was the first week of the season, and we were still learning each other,” Kramer said. “The one thing I know is that they can definitely run up and down the field.”
For Severna Park, which is in its eighth state final since 1999, a win would bring the school its fourth state title. Wootton reached the semifinals in 2006.
“We definitely have the team to do it again this year,” said Severna Park midfielder Chris Hunt, who will join his brother, Ben, at North Carolina next year. “We?ve dominated most teams we?ve played, but hopefully we won?t get overconfident in the finals.”
Falcons senior attack Eric Lusby shared a similar opinion. Lusby had four goals and three assists Saturday as the Falcons jumped out to a 10-0 lead over Westminster.
“We worked really hard in the offseason to get pack to this point,” Lusby said. “We definitely have to win in the finals because to lose it as seniors would be a hard way to go out.”
