It?s not often a team gets a second chance, so Towson?s field hockey team wants to makes sure it doesn?t squander it.
Two weeks after suffering a 1-0 loss to Catonsville, the Generals hope their next visit to the home of the Comets ends with them winning the Baltimore County title game on Oct. 18.
The Generals used their setback against the Comets as a catalyst to produced 1-0 victories over Loch Raven and defending 2A champion Hereford. The wins moved them to within a victory over Perry Hall on Saturday of clinching a spot in the county?s premier game after it appeared Towson would have to wait until next year.
“That loss to Catonsville left a bad taste in our mouth because we started playing well when it was already too late,” Towson coach Holly West said. “We now have a good chance to see Catonsville again in the title game and possibly again in the [Class 3A] playoffs. We know, though it won’t be easy.”
But first, Towson (11-2 overall, 5-1 league) needs to defeat Perry Hall before it can focus on winning the Baltimore County title against the talented Comets (9-1, 6-0), who secured its berth in the title game with a recent victory over Hereford.
Towson senior defender Meredith Tracey said defeating Hereford last week was vital in the team?s quest for its first region title since 2002. Towson has qualified for the state tournament five times in the event?s 32-year history.
“We needed to play well after losing to Catonsville and that?s what we?ve done,” said Tracey after the Hereford game. “We started playing with a lot of energy.”
However, Towson needed some help to put it in position to earn an a rematch against Catonsville. The Baltimore County league, which is regarded as one of the area?s best, had some of its premier teams fall out of contention during the past two weeks.
Loch Raven (8-2, 4-2) saw its chances of winning a county title evaporate with consecutive, 1-0 losses to Dulaney and Towson. Hereford (6-3-1, 3-3), which moved up to Class 3A thisyear, also lost consecutive games last week.
However, all teams will get a chance to win the sport?s most coveted trophy ?the state title ? when the region tournaments begin later this month.
Loch Raven coach Danielle Grzebien said her team, which is led by senior forwards Amanda Middlekamp and Allison Brown and senior defender Catherine Vane, should contend for its first 2A title since 1992.
“We are in a very competitive league this year,” Grzebien said. “Towson, Hereford, Catonsville and Dulaney are capable of winning on any given day.”
Towson senior goalie Katie Muhvich agrees.
“There are a lot of wild-card teams this year instead of just a few really good teams,” Muhvich said. “We know we need to play our best every game because we’re sure we’ll see some of these teams again.”
