This Year the Ball Bounces Spalding's Way as Cavaliers Win IAAM Title

Sporting yellow and black sneakers, Archbishop Spalding forward Maggie Morrison whizzed past a backdrop of thick orange foliage and gray sky yesterday before pulling up short to knock in an insurance goal past McDonogh goalie Megan Lerner with less than four minutes left in the game.

Morrison had broken through the left side for the unassisted goal as No. 2 Spalding (19-1-3) went on to claim a 2-0 victory in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A conference girls' soccer final.

Morrison had a similar scoring opportunity against McDonogh (20-1-1) during the regular season, but her attempt for the game-winner soared a foot over the crossbar and the teams played to a 1-1 tie.

"They had a lot of close shots, but we didn't break and we were set for the counter[attack] when the ball went to Maggie and I knew," Archbishop Spalding Coach Bob Dieterle said. "I've seen Maggie do that . . . one on one, she's tough. She really is tough. What an athlete."

Spalding did not have an easy road to the playoffs. The Cavaliers faced four opponents who were undefeated entering matchups against them.

Last year's team was stacked with talent, including Christine Nairn, now playing on the U.S. under-18 team, and the Cavaliers were shocked to find themselves out of the IAAM final.

But this season saw key contributions from a number of players, including sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy and Morrison, a sophomore, who is second on the team in goals scored with 14.

"We knew we had a lot of good players coming up," Dieterle said. "They had gotten a lot of good playing time the prior year. There is a disappointment factor when your expectations are real high the prior year. We thought of all the years we were going to the finals, it was last year."

Junior Stephanie Smith scored in the 24th minute on a cross from senior Erica Page when Spalding got possession about 30 yards out. Smith was sick before the game with nausea and flu-like symptoms, and came off the field almost immediately after scoring.

"I asked to come off right before I scored the goal, so it was lucky the [referee] didn't allow me to come off," Smith said.

No. 2 Spalding 2, McDonogh 0 Very Productive: Spalding senior Erica Page finished the season leading the team in goals (16) and assists (17). Next year, she will play defense for the University of Maryland. Another Shutout: Sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy had her 14th straight shutout, totaling nine saves yesterday.