1A final

this year. “It definitely was hard since we lost the nine seniors, but everyone stepped up, the seniors took charge and we finished from there.”

South River sophomore Tommi Bresnahan might have had some pressure lifted with Saturday’s win. Her three older sisters — Heather, Taylor and Kassidy — who all won state titles at South River during their careers, were on hand Saturday to cheer on their younger sister and the team. There has now been a member of the Bresnahan family on five of South River’s six field hockey state titles.

“It feels great because having my last name is such a privilege,” Tommi Bresnahan said. “I have a lot of shoes to fill.”

Kaitlyn Wallace stopped six shots for the Seahawks, who shook off the uncomfortable situation they were put in two weeks ago and moved into a tie with Middletown with the six state titles. Only six other schools in the state have more. first-half goal, and a sturdy second-half defensive effort.

Glenelg (12-4) started slow this fall, and suffered back-to-back losses to Marriotts Ridge and River Hill in mid-October. Finding consistency on offense was a struggle, Esmond and coach Nicole Trunzo agreed.

But the Gladiators came together at the right time of the season.

“The team chemistry that we have, the girls that we have on and off the field, are the best girls you’ll ever meet,” Esmond said. “Now being back here is unbelievable.”

Glenelg did more than just make the trip to the Eastern Shore — after falling in the state semifinals in each of the past three seasons, the Gladiators made sure to make the most of their opportunity.

Esmond’s goal, with an assist from senior forward Gaby Garofolo, came with 5:51 to play in the first half.

“It’s very, very hard to get the ball down from defense to midfield to forwards, and into the goal,” Esmond said. “It’s a team effort, on and off the field.”

Trunzo was happy for the offense, and she hoped her team’s defense would use it as motivation to stay steady. The unit — anchored by senior and captain Maddy O’Brien, center mid Paige Reese, another senior, and freshman goalie Rachel Barker — did their job, despite a “scary” feeling of holding that one-goal lead, their coach said.

“We’ve always kind of been the underdogs this year, since we graduated 10 seniors,” Trunzo said. ”These girls just stepped up, and they’re amazing.”

Esmond also praised junior midfielder Jenny Giampalmo for her work on defense.

Hereford (10-9) got going in the second half, and reeled off five consecutive penaltycorner attempts at one point. Glenelg’s defense stiffened, however, and kept he ball away from the cage.

The Bulls made their sixth consecutive state championship game appearance after

PATUXENT 2, F.S. KEY 0: Most of the tears had dried by the time Francis Scott Key’s field hockey players received their medals and posed for some team photos.

The Eagles endured a 2-0 loss to Patuxent in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday at Washington College in the team’s first finals appearance in more than two decades.

But Key, with only four seniors on its roster, did its best to soak up the experience.

“I think it was a long time coming for us,” said FSK’s Suzanne Edwards, a junior defender. “We’ve been playing for each other since we’ve been in fourth grade, third grade. We all knew that once we got to high school … aww, we got it now.”

Francis Scott Key (11-6) claimed its first regional title since 1996 with a big win over Walkersville, then edged Fallston 1-0 in the state semifinals to be the last Carroll field hockey team standing this weekend. Class 4A state final South River 2, Dulaney 1 Goals: SR — Kerr, Clement; DU — Hermann. Assists: SR — Allison, Lee; DU — O’Grady. Saves: SR — Wallace 6; DU — Mercer 6. Halftime: 2-0, South River Class 2A state final Glenelg 2, Herefor 0 Goals: G — Esmond. Assists: G — Garofolo. Saves: H — Kelbaugh 18; G — Barker. Halftime: Glenelg, 1-0. Class 1A state final Patuxent 2, FS Key 0 Goals: P- Scruggs, Dinapoulos. Saves: FSK - Black, 11; P - South, 3; Halftime: Patuxent, 1-0. Class 3A state final Chesapeake 2, C. Milton Wright 0 Goals: CH — E. Beal, Arruda. Assists: CH — Fleig. Saves: CH — Vickery 1; CMW — Borg 1. Halftime: Chesapeake, 1-0