MPSSAA 3A Soccer State Championships
3A Girls
Urbana's girls soccer team made it a sweep for the Frederick County School, winning the 3A title 1-0 over Northern from Calvert County.
The goal came with 20:28 left in the first half. Junior Caitlin Shepherd was able to latch onto a corner delivered by sophomore Isabelle Eskay to push the Hawks ahead. It was Shepherd's 16th goal of the year, and Eskay's ninth assist.
Northern's closest chance to score came on a counter attack in the second half. A beautifully lofted ball put the Patriots' forward in behind the defense. Urbana's goalie, Hannah Goodacre, was able to get a foot on the ball, but the ball kept moving forward. Urbana defender Susie Midla was able to get to it and clear the danger.
It's the team's third straight shutout, holding Blake and Centennial scoreless in the previous two rounds.
For the Hawks, this is their second state title in girls soccer, with the first coming in 2007. Urbana finishes the year 15-1-3, while Northern ends the season 15-2-1 in coach John Battle's first as head coach.
3A Boys
Urbana boys soccer claimed its second state championship in a 1-0 contest against Howard County's Mt. Hebron that was decided by an own goal.
The first half was an exciting one despite not creating any goals. Mt. Hebron's best chance came off a set piece when the ball was poorly cleared in Urbana's box. A scramble for the ball produced a shot from close range, but an Urbana defender blocked it. Urbana also had a chance that hit the post.
The goal came on a low cross into Mt. Hebron's box in a difficult position. A Mt. Hebron defender went to clear the ball, but was unable to keep the clearance out of his own net.
The Hawks end their season with four straight shutout victories, the final two being 1-0 decisions.
Urbana won its first state title in 2013. The Hawks finish the year 19-1, while Mt. Hebron ends 2016 with a 15-2 overall mark.
Urbana's girls soccer team made it a sweep for the Frederick County School, winning the 3A title 1-0 over Northern from Calvert County.
The goal came with 20:28 left in the first half. Junior Caitlin Shepherd was able to latch onto a corner delivered by sophomore Isabelle Eskay to push the Hawks ahead. It was Shepherd's 16th goal of the year, and Eskay's ninth assist.
Northern's closest chance to score came on a counter attack in the second half. A beautifully lofted ball put the Patriots' forward in behind the defense. Urbana's goalie, Hannah Goodacre, was able to get a foot on the ball, but the ball kept moving forward. Urbana defender Susie Midla was able to get to it and clear the danger.
It's the team's third straight shutout, holding Blake and Centennial scoreless in the previous two rounds.
For the Hawks, this is their second state title in girls soccer, with the first coming in 2007. Urbana finishes the year 15-1-3, while Northern ends the season 15-2-1 in coach John Battle's first as head coach.
3A Boys
Urbana boys soccer claimed its second state championship in a 1-0 contest against Howard County's Mt. Hebron that was decided by an own goal.
The first half was an exciting one despite not creating any goals. Mt. Hebron's best chance came off a set piece when the ball was poorly cleared in Urbana's box. A scramble for the ball produced a shot from close range, but an Urbana defender blocked it. Urbana also had a chance that hit the post.
The goal came on a low cross into Mt. Hebron's box in a difficult position. A Mt. Hebron defender went to clear the ball, but was unable to keep the clearance out of his own net.
The Hawks end their season with four straight shutout victories, the final two being 1-0 decisions.
Urbana won its first state title in 2013. The Hawks finish the year 19-1, while Mt. Hebron ends 2016 with a 15-2 overall mark.
| November 18th, 2016 | By: Wick Eisenberg |