Maryvale Prep's Megan Roberts (left) battles John Carroll's Leslie Halloran along the boards during Friday's IAAM A Conference title game at DuBurns Arena. The Patriots captured first indoor crown with a 5-3 decision over the Lions.
Jen Zoltowski (left) and Brittany Dashiell enjoy the championship hardware for John Carroll. Dashiell scored two goals as the Harford County school ended Maryvale's championshp reign.
John Carroll High's first-ever girls' indoor soccer game three years ago was an unforgettable 18-1 shelling. While 18-1 rings hollow for the New England Patriots, the Bel Air school barring the same nickname is smiling.
John Carroll captured the IAAM A Conference championship Friday afternoon, defeating Maryvale Prep, 5-3, at DuBurns Arena. The Harford County school becomes the third different program to take the league's championship bowl in as many seasons.
Junior attack/midfield Paige Hollenback scored three goals for the Patriots (8-1-2 overall), and Brittany Dashiell added two. Sophia Thomas had two goals to lead Maryvale (7-3-2), and Lauren Federline also scored plus added an assist.
John Carroll scored three goals in a six-minute span in the second half to dethrone the Brooklandville school. It was a small bit redemption for those who played during the outdoor season where the Patriots lost in the A Conference semifinals.
"After outdoors we were really depressed," said Dashiell. "For indoors we really wanted to work hard, and make sure that we went far."
Dashiell broke a 3-3 deadlock tie with her second goal of the game before Hollenback got a free run and sent from a kick from about 20 yards that eluded Maryvale freshman goalie Katie Smith for a two-goal advantage with two minutes remaining. During the regular season, the teams played to a 5-5 tie at the Perring Athletic Center in December.
"We changed our formation. We realized if we had to play them again we would have to do something different," said John Carroll coach Gary Lynch. "We thought they were one of the better teams along with IND, so we tried to use the whole season to get ready for the next time. We had to change our style."
The Lions, who stopped Institute of Notre Dame unbeaten season in the semifinals Wednesday, struck first Friday with Thomas scoring on an assist from Federline. Hollenback answered for the Patriots with her first goal.
Maryvale regained the lead with Federline's tally with an assist from Megan Roberts with 2 minutes, 35 seconds remaining in the opening half, but Dashiell scored off a rebound a little over a minute later. The Lions again gained the upper hand on Thomas' score with 19 minutes to play before John Carroll went on its title-winning late surge.
Maryvale's senior class was hoping to finish their high school career with a sixth IAAM championship between indoor and outdoors. Lions coach Billy Reinhardt said John Carroll wasn't overwhelmed playing in its first indoor championship match.
"They never lost their composure when they were down twice," Maryvale coach Billy Reinhardt. "We were doing what we want to do, but not putting the right pace on the ball and they're intercepting it and counter attacking. It was a little frustrating, but they worked hard and never gave up."
Roberts and Thomas were selected to the league's all-star team along with Dashiell and Jenn Etzel. As they gathered after receiving the championship trophy, Lynch told the team about that first contest.
"They've come a long way," said Lynch.
IAAM A Conference Championship
at DuBurns Arena
John Carroll 5, Maryvale 3 First half: Maryvale-Thomas (time unavailable); John Carroll-Hollenback (time unavailable); Maryvale-Federline, 2:35; John Carroll-Dashiell, 1:21.
Second half: Maryvale-Thomas, 19:00; John Carroll-Hollenback, 8:00; John Carroll-Dashiell, 6:07; John Carroll-Hollenback, 2:00.
IAAM A Conference All-Star TeamFriends School: Liza Herzog and Flannery McArdle;
Glenelg Country School: Ore Badaki;
Institute of Notre Dame: Maura Hauf and Lauren Vetock;
John Carroll: Brittany Dashiell and Jenn Etzel;
Maryvale Prep: Megan Roberts and Sophia Thomas;
Notre Dame Prep: Laura DaLesio;
Roland Park Country School: Kenny Likes;
St. Paul's School: Katie Evans and Kristen Fiery.