by Pat O'Malley
patomalleysports@aol.com
It wasn't easy. In fact, it took a lot longer than they expected, but Eastern Tech High's girls' soccer team will get to take care of "unfinished business.''
After losing in the final seconds of double overtime to River Hill in last year's Class 2A state finals, No. 5 Eastern Tech earned another trip Saturday, outlasting North Hagertown in a shootout, 3-1, in a 2A state semifinal at North County's William P. Wentworth Stadium in Ferndale.
The two teams battled to a scoreless tie in regulation and through two overtime sessions, 100 minutes in all. There were no real serious threats in regulation.
The Mavericks (14-1-1) will play defending state champion and No. 4 River Hill next week at UMBC's Retriever Stadium. The day and time is to be determined.
River Hill (15-1-1) setup the rematch with a 3-0 rout of Parkside of Wicomico County following Eastern Tech's win at North County. This season, the Mavericks have worn t-shirts emblazoned with "Unfinished Business."
"As soon as we walked off that field last year, we were determined to come right back, and finish that business, '' said Eastern Tech coach Kim Williams, who led Tech to a state title in 2005.""Unfinished business, we're back. Last year's experience was just more motivation to get back.''
They got back by winning the shootout that pits five players from each team individually taking turns at the opposing goalie on penalty kicks. The team with the most goals after five rounds wins.
North Hagerstown's leading scorer, senior Maria Borland (17 goals and 14 assists) started the shootout with a miss and Eastern Tech's Kelsey Ports fired one past Hubs' goalie, Lindsay Irving (seven saves) for a 1-0
lead. Borland's twin-sister, Stephanie (nine goals, nine assists) hit the post at the top of the cage smack in the middle, and Mavericks' leading scorer, senior Brittany Rhodes (13 goals, three assists) put the pressure on the Hubs (14-3-1) by making it 2-0.
Alluka Ogle-Moore got on the board for the Hubs to make it 2-1, but sophomore Jamie Richardson answered with a third Mavs' goal and a 3-1 lead. Amanda Hutech had to score for the Hubs to keep the shootout going, but a diving goalie Amanda Walters (six saves) dove to her left and smothered Hutech's shot to set off a wild celebration by Eastern Tech.
"I know how to relax and keep everything under control, and I know it's a lot of pressure, so you have to find a way to relax, '' said Walters, a senior. "The last save was amazing. I just watched the ball the whole time and I happened to go the right way.
It's all done guessing basically. Her hips were a little wide, so I figured she was going that way (to her right).''
Walters said the Mavericks made returning to the state championship a constant theme the entire season.
"We talked about it almost every single day at practice,'' said Walters. "Playing River Hill to get our revenge is what we hope for because they beat us in double-overtime last year. An unfortunate cross got in on me last year.''
So, it will be unfinished business completed or business as usual next week at UMBC.
Class 2A state girls soccer semifinals
at North County
Eastern Tech 0, River Hill 0, 2 OT
(Eastern Tech wins shootout, 3-1)
North Hagerstown 0 0 0 0-0
Eastern Tech 0 0 0 0-0
SAVES: North Hagerstown-Irving 7; Eastern Tech-Walters 6
