BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity soccer team’s first foray into state Class 3A competition ended last Thursday with a 2-1 loss to Atholton on the rainy, windswept field in Seahawk Stadium.
In their first-ever competition in the state’s 3A tournament after moving up in class last year following restructuring based on enrollment figures, the Seahawks drew a number-four seed and earned a first-round home game against 13th-seeded Atholton. Unfortunately, the weather and a little bad luck ended Decatur’s season with a 2-1 loss to the Raiders.
Atholton wasted no time jumping out to an early lead against the Seahawks, scoring a fluke goal aided in part by the wet field. Decatur goalkeeper Leigh Ann Flounlacker, who was outstanding all season, came out on a ball that skidded over her head and found the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead for Atholton.
A short time later, the Raiders added a second goal to extend the lead to 2-0 just 15 minutes into the contest. There was no quit in the Seahawks, however, despite the miserable conditions and the fact they were on the short end of a 2-0 score early. Decatur’s Alyssa Hardesty pulled the Seahawks to within one with a goal at the 16:30 mark on an assist by Lauren Cosgriff.
Decatur continued to apply pressure on the Atholton goal throughout the rest of the first half but failed to capitalize on opportunities. The score remained 2-1 at the intermission in neither team scored in the second half as conditions deteriorated. The loss ended what was otherwise a highly successful season for the Seahawks, who finished with a 9-4 record overall including a 7-3 mark in the Bayside Conference.