Broadneck edges Chesapeake for shot at title
Bruins win, 3-2, in field hockey; Loyola cruises in soccer, 6-3
It had seemed as if no field hockey team was a match for Chesapeake-AA’s comebacks.
It took the last game of the season to find one that could.
No. 7 Broadneck (10-2-2) punched its ticket to the Anne Arundel County championship game against South River after beating the No. 11 Cougars, winning 3-2 on a last-minute goal by midfielder Haley Palmer.
“They have earned that spot in the county championship,” Broadneck coach Jen Plack said, “but we just wanted to come out here tonight to play a great game against a great Chesapeake team. And I think we did.”
Sammy Dupcak, who led the Bruins in scoring with a goal as well in the first half, knew Chesapeake would be a tough battle — but that was the fun of it.
“It’s fun to play in a competitive game like that, and it was just a total team effort,” she said. “We’re really proud to go into playoffs with a good win.”
Broadneck struck first on the quick stick work of Anna Feick, who heavily pressured keeper Eve Vickery (four saves) in the first minute. As the senior tried to break through Chesapeake’s defenses, the Cougars swarmed her — and gave her a corner.
When the ball loosed, it landed before Dupcak, who quickly netted it to give the Bruins the upper hand with just two minutes gone.
Then, just eight minutes later, after Chesapeake had tried to ferry the ball down-field, Bruins forward Kaala Puglisi needled the ball around the pack of Cougars defenders. Just as Chesapeake was about to pick her off, she dished to senior Emily Eckels.
Eckels fired and heard the satisfying thud. Broadneck had doubled its lead, 2-0, not even a third of the way into the half.
Senior Hannah McKeon rushed the circle, her first shot fended off by keeper Alex Clough. McKeon regrouped, swung her stick back — and scored.
“On defensive corners, she flies, picks up the ball,” Chesapeake coach Joan Johnson said. “She is just a really talented player, really proud of her.”
The Cougars weren’t finished. Georgia Spangler scored the second Cougars goal with just 35 seconds to go before halftime with McKeon on the assist.
Boys soccer
SOUTH CARROLL 6, F.S. KEY 2: Carter Chesney and Nick Simoncini combined for five goals in the Cavaliers’ victory over Eagles.
Chesney netted three goals in the first half, while Simoncini scored twice in the second half and added two assists.
The road win pushed South Carroll’s record to 7-5 (3-3 in the county) and gave the Cavs their third win in four games.
“Perfect timing,” South Carroll coach Tim Novotny. “Last week and tonight, and hopefully it continues on. … Very happy.”
Preston Jones scored a goal in each half for the Eagles (3-5-1, 1-4).
Aidan Sporer had a goal and two assists for the Cavaliers.
NO. 1 LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD 6, NO. 12 MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH 3: The Dons (12-0) scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half to cruise past the Gaels (5-7-1) in a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Associaton A Conference matchup.
Chase Webbert, Dominic Caltabiano and John Peterson added goals in the second half for Loyola.