S. River dominates Churchill in shutout
In 6-0 win, Seahawks put the game away in 2nd half with 3 goals in 7 minutes
CHESTERTOWN — The South River field hockey team has played its share of close games this year.
That trend changed on the season’s biggest stage Saturday, as the Seahawks dominated from start to finish and defeated Winston Churchill, 6-0, to win the Class 4A state title at Washington College.
South River (18-1-1) claimed its fifth state championship and first since 2012. The Seahawks improved to 5-1 in state finals, with the only loss coming in 2006.
“It’s definitely rewarding. The girls worked hard all season,” South River coach Megan Atkinson said.
Sarah King scored the first goal of the game nine minutes in and finished with three goals for the Seahawks, who recorded their third straight shutout in the playoffs.
Churchill (16-1) came into the game having outscored its opponents 50-4; 12 of its wins were shutouts.
“It’s so bittersweet. These past four years have been the best four years,” said King, who will play at Yale next year. “My teammates and coaches are amazing, and I’m just so thankful that I get to play field hockey the next four years.”
Leading 1-0 at halftime, South River put the game away with three goals in seven minutes.
Maia Cheeks took a pass from Darcy Clement in the circle, and after her initial shot was stopped, she buried the rebound to make it 2-0 with 24 minutes to go. Clement scored two minutes later to make it a three-goal game, and King added her second to cap the run and all but end the suspense with 17 minutes left.
“It was crazy,” Cheeks said of the run. “I was like: ‘Wow, we’re actually winning a state championship.’ ”
After a loss to Glenelg on Sept. 8, the Seahawks went 15-0-1 the rest of the way, including winning the regular-season Anne Arundel County championship and tying Severna Park in the county championship game. The Seahawks outscored their five playoff opponents 22-2. The last goal the Seahawks gave up before Saturday came four minutes into the second half of their section-final victory over Broadneck on Oct. 31.
South River’s starting goalie, Paige Ford, wasn’t forced to make a save against Churchill, but was one of the main reasons the Seahawks advanced to the final. The Seahawks posted nine shutouts and went 7-0-1 in one-goal games.
“This feels amazing. I came in my freshman year in 2013, which was the year after we won our last state championship,” Ford said. “It’s been heartbreaks ever since not making it, but finally reaching that goal, I can leave on that note.”
The Seahawks will graduate nine seniors, including King and Cheeks, who combined for five of their six goals Saturday, and Ford. Kassidy Bresnahan also will leave after joining her sister, Taylor, in winning a field hockey state title at South River.
“They were all on the same page, and they all had specific roles,” Atkinson said. “It never was about who played more or less, it was just as a unit they all wanted to win. I talked to the seniors specifically before the game, and I told them hopefully this isn’t the last time they pick up a hockey stick.”
South River also was awarded the Sportsmanship Award, presented to the team that displays the best sportsmanship during the state tournament.
Like Chesapeake earlier in the day, South River fans made the trip to Chestertown. They stayed to celebrate the title after the game, many holding up signs and others waving South River flags. Goals: SR— King 3, Cheeks 2, Clement. Assists: SR—Schlegel, Ulery; Saves: CH—Twomey 6. CH—Wallace 1, Ford 0. Half: SR, 1-0.