They are Maryland’s two most storied field hockey programs, with decidedly different styles. At halftime Monday night at the University of Maryland, while players from Bethesda-Chevy Chase sat quietly around their cage, absorbing instructions from their coach, their counterparts from Severna Park were at midfield, arching their backs and yelling to the sky.
And the teams’ halftime demeanor reflected their style of play in the Class 3A state championship game. While Severna Park attacked, B-CC countered. But this night belonged to the aggressors as Severna Park won 3-1.
B-CC (15-4) hung in, but finally succumbed to the unrelenting pressure of Severna Park (18-0-1), which scored twice in the final 16 minutes to claim its Maryland-record 16th state title.
“I thought we played well,” said junior Samantha Locke. “That’s just a really good team. It would have taken a lot to beat them.”
Severna Park took a 1-0 lead as junior Julie Gardner passed to junior Emilee West off a quick re-start. But opportunistic B-CC responded, scoring off its first penalty corner, with 4:53 left in the half. Sophomore Catherine Mirsky tallied off a rebound to make it 1-1.
The Barons slowed the Falcons’ in the second half, but created few opportunities of their own. With 15:24 to go, Severna took the lead off another re-start as West fed Gardner to make it 2-1.
Severna Park wrapped it up with 7:42 to go as another junior, Allison Behringer scored off the Falcons’ fifth penalty corner.
Falcons soar to another title
» Severna Park has won a Maryland-record 15 state championships. B-CC has wonits 13 state titles over the last 19 years.
