Atholton field hockey coach Jim Brown talks to his team before a game against Glenelg during the regular season. The Raiders joined Glenelg as Howard County squads headed to the state Final Four Thursday, winning the 3A East Region crown over Centennial.
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When Atholton High's field hockey team scrimmaged Broadneck back in August, Raiders coach Jim Brown told his team they would return to the Anne Arundel County school. The Raiders made Brown's words come true Thursday afternoon.


Atholton defeated Centennial, 1-0, in the Class 3A state East Region finals. The Raiders, for the first time since 1980, are headed to the state Final Four.

Atholton (13-3 overall) will play Great Mills in a state semifinal Wednesday evening at Broadneck. Great Mills defeated LaPlata for the South Region championship Thursday.

Sarah DeLuca's goal off an assist by Allie Durso with 24:14 remaining in the first half was the difference for Atholton. Brown said he's been looking for a fast start from his team in recent weeks.

"At the end of the regular season, physically they were ready but psychologically, they went to sleep," said Brown. "I felt we had to change our warm up routine and change the dynamic."

The Raiders outshot the Eagles, 14-4, and had 10-4 advantage in penalty corners. Centennial goalie Liz Synder (13 saves) kept the Eagles' defense of last year's region crown alive. The Ellicott City school (9-5) defeated Atholton, 2-0, in last year's region finale.

The Raiders won 2-0 during the regular season, but Thursday was the biggest game in the program's history since Ronald Reagan was President and the Baltimore Colts played football at Memorial Stadium.

"They know what this game meant to the whole community," said Brown. "It was truly their moment."