Penalty kick opens floodgates

McDonogh center back Matt Owusu has been playing on a sore ankle most of the season and a dominating first half by host Loyola Blakefield had him working extra hard on it Wednesday.

But that didn’t stop the standout senior from making an assertive run up the field when he saw an opening five minutes into the second half.

Eventually, the ball found him on the left side, where he nudged past a defender to get inside the penalty box. He was then fouled while beating another defender to get awarded a penalty kick.

It was the kind of play the defending Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference champions desperately needed at that point — pure effort and determination — and when Mason Christian converted the ensuing penalty they were on their way.

Joel Brown provided an insurance goal midway through and Vince Petrera tacked on two late goals as No. 4McDonoghclaimed a 4-0 win over the No. 7 Dons in a rematch of last year’s league championship game.

McDonogh (5-3-1) improves to 3-2 in the MIAA, while Loyola (3-3-1) falls to 1-2-1.

Owusu, sturdy throughout at the defensive end, was just happy to make a difference when given the chance.

“I like to do that a couple times during a game. Sometimes space just opens up in the midfield and I go and hope for the best. I think it was a little bit of luck and skill, being able to get by a couple guys and then get that PK,” he said.

Carlos Martinez scored two goals to lead the Rams (2-4-1) past the Warriors (0-3-1).

Girls soccer

Emily Messinese and Lauren Messinese each had a goal and an assist to lead the Falcons (2-3, 2-0 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference) over the Penguins (1-5, 0-3).

Field hockey

Piper Borz scored the game-winner to lift the visiting Eagles (4-3, 1-2 IAAM A Conference) over the Lions (3-6, 0-3). Maryvale was down 2-0 and tied the game with 22 seconds left in regulation.

Regan O’Toole made five saves in the sixth shutout for the host Saints (7-1, 3-0 IAAM B Conference).

Mia Rehkemper scored twice to lead the Sailors (7-3, 4-0 IAAM B Conference) over the Reds (3-5, 0-3).

Arielle Hillock made 21 saves, but the Admirals (5-2) fell to the Hawks. Claire Slade and Quil Alewine each scored for River Hill.

Golf

Not long after the round was over and scores began trickling in, whispers of what Mason Jones had done began to drift through the crowd standing before the scoreboard.

“A South River kid shot a 73.”

The man inking in the scores — Severna Park coach Pete Buck — knew long before then, but this cemented it: the two-year reign of Severna Park golf ended.

Given a healthy boost by Jones’ winning individual score, South River claimed the county team championship crown at Crofton Country Club with a total of 322.

— Katherine

Media Group

Fominykh, Baltimore Sun