A year after claiming three state titles in boys? soccer, Baltimore area schools are in prime position to add to their success.
Fifteen schools from the Baltimore area have reached the regional finals in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association playoffs. Based upon the matchups, seven local teams are guaranteed berths in the state tournament ? Maryland?s final four ? and with four teams still competing in the Class 3A tournament, there will be at least one state finalist.
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“I think it just shows the quality of soccer that we have in the Baltimore metro area,” Bel Air coach Dominic Rose, whose Bobcats play Centennial today in the 3A East Region final. “There are a lot of good teams that are rising to the top this year. It says a lot for the competition in the area.”
Sparrows Point (10-3), which hosts Owings Mills today in the 1A North Region final, is the only local state champ still playing. The Pointers tied Pocomoke for the 1A title last year, and Hammond defeated Loch Raven, 3-1, in the 2A championship, and Mount Hebron beat North Carroll, 2-1, to win the 3A title. Walter Johnson and Thomas Johnson played to a scoreless tie in the 4A championship.
Sparrows Point will look to avenge a 4-0 loss to Owings Mills earlier this season.
“That?s the first time in 30 years we won a state [final] game ? that was amazing,” Pointers coach George Bischoff said. “And we?ve [gotten here this season] with pretty much our [junior varsity] team from last year.”
Pointers captains Doug Parr and Chris Deica are the lone returners from last season?s state champs.
Each of the remaining 15 teams has made at least one previous appearance in the state tournament. Oakland Mills, with a state-record 12 titles, has experienced the most success, with River Hill and Centennial each having won seven championships. Bel Air is one of six teams ? EasternTech, Franklin, Owings Mills, Perry Hall and C. Milton Wright are the others ? in search of a first title. Owings Mills, which reached the state semifinals in 1985 and 1986, is seeking its first finals appearance.
“Years ago, Baltimore County was the hub of soccer,” Bischoff said. “And over time kids move out to Howard and Harford counties. Now kids are moving back in, and that makes a big difference.”
