Severna Park Goes For 3rd State Title

Patterson Scores 4 Goals in Semifinal

They lost their standout scorer to a season-ending knee injury in March. They saw a two-year, 47-game winning streak come to an end. They didn't even win their league. But the two-time defending state champion Severna Park Falcons never lost their will to make a return to the Maryland 4A/3A girls' lacrosse title game.

Senior Anna Patterson had four goals and two assists, senior Kathleen Barranco added three goals and two assists, and senior Sam Farrell completely shut down Dulaney's top scorer in yesterday's 12-5 state semifinal victory at Arundel High.

Severna Park will play for its third straight title either Tuesday or Wednesday against Westminster at UMBC.

The Falcons (15-3) jumped out to a 5-0 lead 12 minutes into the game, and with Farrell (two goals, one assist) playing phenomenal one-on-one defense on midfielder Brooke Martin, the Dulaney senior -- who scored a team-high 42 goals in 15 games this season -- was held scoreless.

"We didn't know a lot about [Dulaney], but I knew we needed to deny her. She's really fast," said Farrell, who will play for the University of Florida's inaugural lacrosse team in 2010. "I stayed with her everywhere. I tried not to let her catch the ball at all."

Mt. Hebron Back in Final

Fifteen-time state champion Mount Hebron, which missed out on the state tournament a year ago, returned to the title game with a 20-11 dismantling of host Annapolis in the 3A/2A semifinals.

Senior Ashley Bruns, the school's single-season record-holder for goals, went over the 100-goal mark for the season, scoring eight to bring her total to 103.

The Vikings (16-3) will go for state title No. 16 in the 20-year history of the state championships either Tuesday or Wednesday against Fallston.

Mount Hebron led 3-0 in the opening 50 seconds on goals by Bruns, Julianne Giles (six goals) and Jess Giles (five goals). But Annapolis fought back behind high scorers Jodi Cumberpatch (five goals) and Ali Brandenburg (three goals) and only trailed 9-8 at halftime.

Jess Giles scored two goals in a three-minute span of the second half, and the Vikings held the Panthers (14-3-1) to just two goals after halftime. Annapolis was seeking its first trip to the state finals in six years. . . .

After an improbable postseason run that landed Walter Johnson in the state tournament for the first time in the event's 20-year history, Westminster doused the Wildcats' shot at a 4A/3A state title with a convincing 22-4 victory at Arundel.

The Wildcats (11-4) upset second-seeded Blake in the West Region semifinals on Tuesday, then knocked off top-seeded and undefeated Churchill the following day for the biggest win in the program's history.

Yesterday, senior Abby Bieber gave Walter Johnson a 1-0 lead with her 51st goal of the season, but the Owls -- winners of their region for the past six seasons -- used their superior stick skills to score the next six goals, and by halftime led 10-3.

"They have a bit more confidence. They breathe lacrosse [in Carroll County]," said Bieber.

Walkersville Boys Fall

Walkersville's bid for a return trip to the state finals was derailed by Hereford, which dominated throughout the 15-0 victory in the 3A/2A state semifinals at Annapolis. Senior Nick Pompa led the Bulls (18-1) with four goals, while Sean Konholics scored three goals, and Rustin Bryant had two goals and five assists. Walkersville finished 12-3.

Bulldogs Win 'Classic'

No. 7 St. Albans won the featured game of the D.C. Lacrosse Classic yesterday at St. Albans, beating Gonzaga, 12-7.

"I think it was a great event. There was some high level lacrosse played and a lot of fans. I think everybody had a fun time," said St. Albans Coach Malcolm Lester, who organized the event.

Next year it may be held at Wilson, which could have a lacrosse team by then. The event was seen as a way to help grow the game in the District, where no public schools play lacrosse.