The Severna Park High School girls lacrosse team captured its third county championship title in four years on Tuesday.
The
Severna Park High School girls lacrosse team was put in an unfamiliar situation but the way it responded is why the Falcons are one of the best teams in the state.
Broadneck won the first five draws of the game and took an early lead. However, Severna Park's defense absorbed the initial blow and senior midfielder Hayley Rausch made a statement that set the tone for the rest of the game.
Rausch got the ball, ran the distance of the field and scored in transition to put the Falcons on the scoreboard. She finished with a game-high four goals to lead Severna Park to a 14-8 victory over
Broadneck in the county championship at Meade High School on Tuesday.
The Falcons (15-0) won their third county title in four years and eighth overall. The Bruins fell to 11-3 and could meet Severna Park again if both teams advance to Class 4A-3A East Region finals.
"On draw controls, Broadneck dominated the first half," Falcons coach Carin Petersen said. "We know that draw controls are such a huge part of the game. In the second half, we started to take the shots that we wanted."
After clinging to a 6-5 lead at the break, Severna Park opened the second half with four straight goals and took control of the game.
Rausch got things started again when she capped a long possession with a free-position goal. Senior midfielder Julie Gardner (three goals, assist) shook off two defenders with a spin move to score and senior midfielder Allison Behringer netted back-to-back goals to stake a 10-5 lead for the Falcons.
On Behringer's second goal, her initial free-position shot was blocked but she showed great instincts and scored off the rebound.
"It was the same thing kind of thing the last time we played them," said Behringer, whose team topped Broadneck, 18-9, on April 29. "We weren't executing our plays and doing what we practice."
Peterson rotated junior Sam Farrell and sophomore Sarah Lloyd in the center circle against senior Karri Ellen Johnson of the Bruins. After Johnson's early dominance, Severna Park settled down and won the overall draw-control battle, 13-11.
"Draws are so important," said Farrell, who added a goal. "If they get it then they have possession. The key is just to get in front of your girl and be first on the draw."
Senior attacker Katie Cloud finished with two scores for the Falcons, including her goal to open a 11-6 lead for Severna Park midway through the second half.
Sophomore attacker Megan Eshleman had a team-high three goals for Broadneck. Sophomore midfielder Courtney Tomchik added two goals and an assist while junior attacker Chelsea Thompson and Johnson tallied a goal and an assist each.
Junior goalkeeper Kasey Howard made several point-blank saves for the Bruins and finished with 13 in the game. Severna Park senior goalkeeper Jenna Wadsworth registered seven saves.
Severna Park (15-0) 6 8 - 14
Broadneck (11-3) 5 3 - 8
GOALS: SP - Rausch 4, Gardner 3, Behringer 2, Cloud 2, Lloyd, Farrell, Patterson, Biddinger; BN - Eshleman 3, Tomchik 2, Mitchell, Johnson, Thompson. ASSISTS: SP - Gardner, Gassaway; BN - Thompson, Johnson, Tomchik. SAVES: SP - Wadsworth 7; BN - Howard 13. SHOTS: SP - 33; BN - 18. GROUND BALLS: SP - 25; BN - 11. DRAW CONTROLS: SP -13; BN - 11.