Lacrosse

Defending state champion Fallston protected its turf in Tuesday's Class 2A-1A boys lacrosse championship. Going against Harford County rival Patterson Mill, the No. 15 Cougars settled in with two quick goals and stayed in control to earn a comfortable 15-5 win over the Huskies at UMBC Stadium. The Cougars' superior quickness and skill, along with their balance on attack became more and more apparent as the game wore on. Senior Marc Badger led the way with three goals and three assists; Wes Rumple added three goalsand nine different Cougars either recorded a goal or an assist.

The freshman attacking midfielder proved she's ready for prime time, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to seal the No. 2 Knights' 10-9 victory over then-No. 2 C. Milton Wright in the Class 3A-2A state semifinal. Warther, who also scored with 1:22 left in regulation to tie the game at 8, finished with four goals on six shots. She contributed five goals and an assist to the 14-2 regional semifinal win over North Hagerstown and a goal in the 14-3 regional final win over Middletown.

The state plans to submit a bid this summer that it hopes will fulfill its vision of making Baltimore a "semi-permanent" home of the NCAA lacrosse championships. "My vision is we're going after both men's and women's [championships], and we're going to create an epicenter" for the sport, said Terry Hasseltine, director of the Maryland Office of Sports Marketing, on Monday. Baltimore already is a frequent home to the NCAA lacrosse final four and championship games. It hosted the men's and women's championships in 2010 and the men's championships in 2011 and will host the men's and women's final fours again in 2014.

(All games at UMBC) CLASS 3A-2A NO. 2 CENTURY (16-2) VS. NO. 6 MARRIOTTS RIDGE (17-1) When: Tuesday, 8 p.m. Outlook: The defending champion Knights are going for their seventh title in 10 years against the 2011 champs. Two years ago, Marriotts Ridge beat the Knights, 8-4, for their first state lacrosse crown. Both feature dynamic midfields, with Century led by Florida-bound senior Haley Bordner (39 goals, 38 assists) and the Mustangs by Maryland-bound senior Zoe Stukenberg (72, 41)

The IAAM coaches have announced their all-star lacrosse teams: A Conference Sammie Burgess, McDonogh Gabby Cha, Mount de Sales Molly Cobb, Notre Dame Prep Ellie DeGarmo, Bryn Mawr Caroline Federico, Maryvale Nevi Fernandez, St. Paul's Cece Finney, Roland Park Liz Haus, Notre Dame Prep Miranda Ibello, Maryvale Stephanie Lazo, St. Mary's Julie Legar, Garrison Forest Maggie Preas, McDonogh ...

Revenge was oh so sweet for Salisbury's women's lacrosse team, especially when it came with a national championship. The Sea Gulls polished off a 23-0 season with a 12-5 victory and the Division III national championship by avenging last year's title-game loss to Trinity College in a battle of undefeated teams Sunday at Stevenson University's Mustangs Stadium. "We've been cheering 'Redemption' all year and 'Road to redemption' and that word has really meant a lot to us," said Sea Gulls senior attacker Lauren Feusahrens, who scored five goals.

In February, Duke coach Kerstin Kimel said she wasn't sure any women's lacrosse team was better than Maryland. After Saturday's NCAA quarterfinal, she seemed pretty well convinced. The No. 1 Terps (21-0) had their lethal offense rolling and also forced 15 turnovers en route to a 14-9 victory and a berth in their fifth straight NCAA final four. Looking for their 12th national title and their first since 2010, the Terps are in the final four for a record 21st time. Taking their second win this season over their Atlantic Coast Conference rival at Maryland's Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex, the Terps continue to make it difficult for defenses to contain an attack that always has seven players ready to score.

The state boys and girls lacrosse championships are set for Tuesday and Wednesday nights at UMBC. All of the defending boys state champions return -- South River, Hereford and Fallston. Century is the only defending girls champion to make it into the final. The finals feature a pair of rematches of last year's title games on the boys side. South River defeated Westminster, 10-8, for the 4A-3A title last season, and Hereford topped Glenelg, 13-8, in Class 3A-2A. Hereford boys are going for their sixth straight championship and a boys state record nine titles overall.