In October’s Anne Arundel County Public Schools girls soccer tournament championship game, Severna Park faced a Chesapeake squad that was as up for the challenge of taking down the Falcons as any team in recent memory.
In the end, though, the challenge ended like so many have over the last three years: the Falcons still standing and claiming victory.
Second-half goals from Maria Bragg and Ava Scott brought the game to life, and Severna Park held firm to repeat as county champions with a 2-0 victory.
A couple of moments of magic helped the Falcons finally unlock the Cougars’ defense and settle the result. Bragg’s goal forced Chesapeake to come out of a defensive shell and take chances in search of an equalizer.
Moments later, Severna Park landed the knockout punch when Bragg got the ball and cut it back for Scott, who lashed in a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area to complete the scoring.
“They were really good about enclosing us to one side of the field in the first half, and in the second half, we did a good job of trying to switch the fields,” Bragg said. “When I got the ball in the corner, I was able to get it to Ava, and then she took her shot.”
With yet another championship in tow, the Falcons then turned to the regionals, where they advanced to the region final with a 4-0 win over Stephen Decatur.
The game started out similar to the county championship, with the added threat of the season being over with a loss. Nevertheless, Severna Park remained patient, stuck to the plan, and finally broke Decatur’s resistance just before halftime when Bragg got on the end of Emerson Scott’s corner to break the deadlock.
Almost immediately after halftime, Bragg surged down the left flank, drew the goalkeeper out, and rolled the ball to Emma Lawrence to slam home the Falcons’ second score. A pair of late goals from Ella Baxter rounded out the scoring as the Falcons set up an October 29 regional final date at J.M. Bennett.
“The longer you stay 0-0, the more hope the other team gets, so getting that goal right before halftime was really important,” said Severna Park coach Rick Stimpson. “Our girls are just so patient because we’ve been in this situation so many times before, and they just keep creating chances.”
Thus began the challenge laid down by the coaching staff and seniors from the undefeated 2023 state championship squad: earn the next day. Though that team now lives only in the history books, the holdovers hope to take the lessons learned to establish their own legacy.
“That’s been our motto this season, ‘Earn it,’” Ava Scott said. “We know what it feels like to win, but at the same time, we’re not chasing that experience. We want to create a new experience where we still win. Last year was fantastic and amazing, and I’m so grateful for that. Now I’m looking toward this season with these girls and hopefully being able to do the same thing.”
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