Atholton Scores 'Overwhelming' Win

After scoring goals in both halves of last night's Maryland 3A semifinal at Broadneck, Atholton sophomore Kim Markovitz had a hard time putting her feelings into words following the Raiders' 2-0 win over Great Mills.

"It's really overwhelming," she said.

The pint-size attacker then put both hands up to her cheeks, and proceeded to giggle uncontrollably.

Her reaction symbolized the new state of Atholton field hockey, a program that now includes some players who know only happiness and success.

"I sure hope it's a foretelling of things to come in terms of the players we have," Raiders Coach Jim Brown said. "Up until the last few years, girls would show up at Atholton as freshmen and say, 'What side of the stick do we use?' "

A year after the Raiders (14-3) posted their first winning record of the decade, their victory last night put them in the title game for the first time since 1980, when they were the state runner-up.

They will play Saturday at Washington College in Chestertown against Fallston (18-1), which earned a 2-0 win over Bethesda-Chevy Chase (13-5) in the second game at Broadneck last night.

Great Mills (14-2) had some chances against the Raiders, but the Hornets couldn't convert any of their eight penalty corners in the second half.

They are now 0 for 4 in state semifinals this decade, including losses in each of the past two seasons.

"We came here a bit more prepared than last year, but we just couldn't pull it out in the end," Great Mills senior captain Reagan Beasley said. "Atholton's a good team. They're going to do great."

The Raiders do not have the history or tournament experience to match Fallston, which won last year's 3A title in a double-overtime classic over B-CC. But Brown said Atholton is past the point of being intimidated by anyone.

"Belief is sort of a contagious state of mind and the more success you have, it's like a snowball -- it just keeps growing and growing," he said. "When you get to this level, at this point, they believe. They believe anything is possible."

Atholton goalie Maddy Bottomley agreed.

"We're here," said the senior, who made nine saves. "And we're ready for Saturday."

Rematch for 4A Title

Less than an hour after Quince Orchard sophomore Leah Hunsinger put her team in the 4A state final with an overtime goal, she conveyed cool confidence while watching Severna Park set up a rematch of last year's championship game.

"It's amazing to be in the state final again and this year it's our turn," she said. "We know we can do it."

The Cougars (12-3-1) will have that chance after she pushed in the game-winner for a 1-0 victory over Westminster at Arundel High.

First-year Cougars coach Laura Williams said her team played defense for most of the first half as well as the beginning of the second half. But Quince Orchard finally found some offensive success toward the end of regulation. . . .

Severna Park (18-1) took the suspense out of its game early, scoring all of its goals in the first half of a 4-0 win over Springbrook (13-2-1).

The Falcons, who beat Quince Orchard, 2-0, in last year's title game, have won 17 state titles.