Wootton Boys Win, Advance to State Semis

On the way to becoming the first Montgomery County boys' lacrosse team to reach a state final last season, Wootton had a few scattered close games.

This season, the Patriots are making it look easy.

After a scoreless first quarter yesterday, Wootton controlled the remainder of the Maryland 4A/3A West Region final on its way to a 12-5 home win over Bethesda-Chevy Chase.

Wootton has won all 15 of its games against Maryland public schools by at least four goals.

"Each win builds more and more confidence," said senior Harry Shay, who had three goals for the Patriots (16-1). "We feel we're supposed to be here, and we're supposed to go on to the next one and the next one."

Wootton, which will face Dulaney in the state semifinals for the second straight year either tomorrow or Saturday, opened the scoring early in the second quarter with two quick goals from Shay and senior Jordan Montesano.

The Patriots led 4-1 at halftime, then padded their advantage with two straight goals to start the third quarter, again from Shay and Montesano.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase (14-3), playing in its first region final, trimmed the deficit to 7-3 by the start of the fourth quarter, but Wootton scored the first five goals in the final frame.

"I felt like [the Patriots] were picking up the intensity," said Barons junior Chris Pappalardo, "and we let down a little bit."

As soon as the game was over, word circulated among Wootton's coaches and players that Dulaney also had won and would be next.

"We know they're going to come out hungry after we ended their season last year," said Montesano, who finished with three goals. "But we have to come out hungrier because we have unfinished business. Our goal is to win a state championship."

Girls Make It a Patriots Sweep

When Wootton senior Julie Klatzkin looked back at her team's lackluster performance in the first half of yesterday's 4A/3A West Region final, her assessment was simple and to the point.

"We were nervous," she said. "We played a little bit timid. Normally we just go out and get a bunch of goals, but this time we kind of felt like we had something to lose."

The Patriots, playing in their first region final, overcame those jitters in the second half and rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat Blake, 10-8.

While almost all of Wootton's players improved as the game progressed, Klatzkin did the most damage to Blake (12-3).

With the Patriots (15-0) trailing 8-5 and 20 minutes remaining in the game, the Cornell signee scored four of her team's final five goals.

"It just got into my head that I'm not going to lose this game," Klatzkin said. "I was kind of feeling the pressure and everything, but this team wanted it so bad that it feels really good."