by Derek Toney

The Maryvale Prep soccer team found itself carrying the athletic burden of its Brooklandville campus when they took the field Thursday afternoon for the IAAM B Conference semifinals.

Tuesday, the Lions were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the B Conference field hockey tournament, ending their title reign. The volleyball team, seeded first and unbeaten in regular season B Conference play, was stunned at home Wednesday in the semifinal round.

The Lion soccer squad made sure their classmates and supporters didn't endure a third straight day of disappointment, defeating Park School, 3-0. For the third consecutive year, Maryvale will play for the coveted IAAM championship glass bowl.

Sunday afternoon at Glenelg Country School, the Lions will meet Severn School at 1 p.m. Severn defeated visiting St. Paul's, 5-1, in the other semifinal match Thursday afternoon.

Freshman Gabrielle Tana scored two goals for Maryvale (12-3-4) and senior Laura Renaud added a goal. Senior Emily Noto and junior Kelsey Meyd each contribute an assist for the defending conference champions.

"It's definetely been hard especially because our volleyball and field hockey seasons are over," said Renaud. "There's been a lot of pressure on us, and leading up to this day, we had a little rut where we kept tying or going into overtime."

The Lions haven't had any pitfalls in the postseason, winning its first two games by a combined 7-0. Maryvale hasn't allowed a goal in its last five playoff decisions, thanks to play of goalie Sarah Mather and the defensive backfield of Megan Roberts, Erin MacPherson, Emma Sexton, Meyd and Meghan Clothier. Lions coach Billy Reinhardt said he's been stressing not being complacent all season.

"We have to start from the first minute to the 80th minute, we can't have any lapses in between," said Reinhardt. "We've been doing that occassionally, but we've been lucky. We got bit when we played Mercy, but luckily, it was the last game of the regular season."

After handling the Bruins during the regular season, Reinhardt altered his lineup for the rematch Thursday, moving Noto from forward to outside half back, Renaud to outside back from central midfield, Tana from attacking midfielder to central midfield, MacPherson from stopper to sweeper. The Lions wasted little time ceasing control as Tana scored in the 28th minute of the opening half with an assist from Meyd, and Noto assisting Renaud's tally only a couple of minutes later.

Tana, a promising varsity newcomer, added an unassisted tally with about 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Noto said the different look helped spark the Lions' effort.

"It was a good formation for us, and we worked the ball pretty well,"  said Noto. "We have a tendency not coming out strong in the first half, and that has really propelled us in the playoffs."

"They're a good team, they have quality players,"  Park coach Jeff Jennings, whose team finished 5-4-1. "They play aggressively and have good touch with the ball."      

The Lions will go for the repeat Sunday afternoon against Severn, which played them to a 1-1 tie during the regular season. Maryvale won't have to deal with the pressure surrounding a championship game.

"It's awesome," said Renaud, who played on the Lions' B Conference title-winning indoor team last winter. "We want everyone who haven't been in a championship before to have the feeling of stepping on a championship field and having your name announced."

"We should have no problem going in there with a great mindset," said Reinhardt, whose team is seeking their third IAAM B outdoor title. "Everyone except for our six freshmen has been there. We should have no nerves."
   
IAAM B CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Maryvale 3, Park 0
Goals: Maryvale-Tana 2, Renaud. Assists: Maryvale-Meyd, Noto. Saves: Park-Fidler 4; Maryvale-Mather 5.