Heartbreak in the region finals was becoming the norm for the Catonsville girls? soccer team after losing to Towson in the region final in each of the past two season. But against Hereford in the 3A North Regional final Tuesday night, the Comets finally broke through on their home field, dominating the Bulls, 4-0, for the biggest win in school history.
“We were very disappointed last year and built on that and we never let ourselves forget what happens if we don?t take care of business,” Catonsville coach James Fitzpatrick said. “That has kind of been a theme for us all season long.”
Second-ranked Catonsville (16-1) claimed its first regional title since the state public school playoff format was introduced 17 years ago.
Catonsville will have a chance to extend its record-setting season Friday evening at 5 at Tuscarora High School against No. 8 Wilde Lake (14-3). The Wildecats won their first two region playoff games by a combined score of 12-1 before upsetting top-seeded and then-second-ranked Fallston, 1-0, to claim the 3A East Region title.
“We need to not be scared,” senior forward Jessica Nonn, said. “Everyone is going to be nervous. The most important thing is to just go out and do what we can do.”
And Catonsville has done plenty this season. The Comets have allowed just four goals and stumbled just once, a 2-0 loss to Loch Raven.
Nonn has been the offensive catalyst, recording 31 goals and 10 assists, giving the Virginia Tech-bound lacrosse player 69 career goals. The Comets? stout defense ? led by juniors Abby Wilson, Alyssa Prager, Kellie Christian and Mollie Singer ? have taken care of the rest, posting 14 shutouts this fall.
“This is a team that deserves to be 16-1 and there aren?t any flukes in our wins,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our goal from the very beginning was to get to states.”
