Seahawks Fall to Queen Anne's in Opener

BERLIN- With a deep and talented roster littered with veteran senior players, Decatur's girls' varsity soccer team has been chomping at the bit to get the 2009 campaign started, but the Seahawks have played just one game thus far this season, a narrow 3-2 loss to Bayside rival Queen Anne's last Wednesday.

Expectations are high for the Seahawks this season with eight seniors and seven juniors returning from last year's 11-3-1 team, but while other conference teams have already played two or three games, Decatur has played just one so far, a tough 3-2 loss to the Lions at home last Wednesday. Basically, the game boiled down to a pair of penalty kicks, a missed one by the Seahawks in the in the first half, and a decisive one by the Lions late in the game on a questionable call.

With the score tied at 1-1 early in the game, Decatur standout Bradley Janson was awarded a penalty kick after getting taken down from behind on a fast break, but her shot sailed wide of the goal and the game remained tied. Janson gave Decatur a lead a short time later with a long shot from the perimeter to go up 2-1, but Queen Anne's had the answer and tied the game a short time later.

The scored remained 2-2 despite continued pressure on offense applied by both teams in a relentless second half until Queen Anne's was awarded a penalty kick after a collision near the 18-yard box. The Lions converted the kick to take a 3-2 lead and held on as Decatur made several late charges in an effort to tie the score.

Janson scored Decatur's only two goals of the game while Lauren Cosgriff added an assist. Seahawk keeper Leann Flounlacker was outstanding all day and recorded 20 saves. Decatur faces Wicomico on the road on Monday.