Scoring Chances

Top-ranked Bryn Mawr, with too many weapons end-to-end, registered its second shutout in as many days in beating Arundel, 2-0, for the championship of the third annual River Hill Hockeyfest yesterday.No. 9 Long Reach, stunned by Arundel, 2-1, on Friday, bounced back to beat county rival River Hill for the first time in four tries, 2-1, in the consolation game. The home team had lost to Bryn Mawr in Friday's second game, 3-0.Bryn Mawr scored once in each half on unassisted goals by Jen Ahn and Megan Burker, and finished with a 15-4 shot margin.

WASHINGTON -- One of soccer's flashiest plays, the back-heel pass in close quarters, set up midfielder Joe-Max Moore's goal in the 88th minute and gave the U.S. national men's team a scintillating, 1-0 victory over world power Argentina yesterday.Moore, who had entered the game in the 60th minute, took the slick, short pass from Ernie Stewart near the top right of Argentina'a penalty box and put a rising shot to the left-top corner past diving goalkeeper German Burgos."I saw Joey in the back of my, er, lens," said Stewart, struggling for the right English word, "and heard Joey calling for it, so I back-heeled it to him."

The longest day of their endless season concluded yesterday with the Orioles suffering dual losses to the Chicago White Sox in a day-night doubleheader at Camden Yards. A 4-3 loss in the afternoon followed by a 10-inning, 8-5 defeat at night underscored what long ago became a fundamentally flawed situation.Third strikes bounced past rookie catcher Mike Figga, a misjudged pop-up and the failure to produce in critical situations provided the framework for the afternoon game, which the Orioles threatened to break open at several junctures only to lose in an eighth-inning rally.

Fallston last night showed host Liberty that scoring without the ball can be a rather difficult task.The No. 15 Cougars kept possession for much of the second half, and got goals from Nicole McNeill, Fran Amasia and Jen Schuerholz during a nine-minute stretch while blanking No. 14 Liberty after the break for a 9-6 victory.The game was tied 6-6 at halftime, but Fallston coach Gina Hormes told the Cougars to work harder on the mechanics of passing and catching. Even though Fallston (4-0) scored six times in the opening half, the Cougars were inconsistent.

North Carroll coach Jim MacDonald spent part of halftime yesterday telling his team it still had a chance against visiting Thomas Johnson. Despite watching the Patriots dominate the first 40 minutes, North Carroll hung tough and trailed by only one at the break.But Thomas Johnson quickly removed all doubt in the second half, scoring four times en route to a 5-1 victory over North Carroll in a Central Maryland Conference game.Thomas Johnson (11-1-1, 5-1-1) scored four goals in the first 25 minutes of the second half -- including a three-goal blitz in a stretch of 6: 28 early in the half.

Heather Collison and Nichoal Zamarripa ensured that no. 8 South River will get a chance to defend its state title by scoring a goal apiece for a 2-0 victory over Middletown in a Class 2A-3A state semifinal last night at Catonsville Community College.South River (14-2) tied Liberty for the Class 2A-3A state title last year.The Seahawks had heard some whispers that their tie with Liberty in last year's title game was a fluke, and they wanted to prove a point this season -- something they've done.

FREDERICK -- For the Wilde Lake and Walter Johnson soccer teams, the similarities were many. Both shared the same nickname, lost in state finals last season and clad themselves in green uniforms.In last night's Class 3A state semifinals at Linganore High School, however, that's where the comparisons ended.Freshmen Ian Rodway and Michael Dello-Russo each scored goals, and Wilde Lake controlled the midfield most of the way in a 2-0 victory.With their eighth shutout this season, the Wildecats (12-2-2)

Yesterday was a day of celebration for coach Derek Maki and Patterson.Ryan Pratt scored midway through the second half and goalie Patrick Krivosh made a big stop with 90 seconds left to give co-No. 15 Patterson a 1-0 victory over visiting Perry Hall in the Class 4A North Region final.The victory, the 100th of Maki's 14-year career at Patterson, gave the Clippers their first-ever soccer region title. Patterson advances to the state semifinal.Patterson (15-1) dominated play in the first half.

Top-ranked Catholic had struggled recently, but after the Cubs scored a convincing 4-0 victory over Centennial yesterday at Herring Run Park, coach Jerry Dieter smiled and said just two words about his team:"They're back."The Cubs certainly played one of their best games in recent days. Nicole Brooks scored twice while Allison Merkle and Rebecca Bieneman each had a goal and an assist as Catholic (13-0-1) dominated a good Centennial team.Dieter said the team's tough schedule and injuries have hurt.

To make sure it doesn't miss scoring chances, South Carroll often spends time in practice working on following up and finishing shots.That work paid off last night as Lindsey Vosloh scored when she followed up Sara Wachter's shot with 15 minutes left to give No. 12 South Carroll a 1-0 victory over visiting and No. 14 Atholton in a Class 3A-4A West Region playoff.South Carroll (14-0) advances to the region semifinals.The Cavaliers came up with numerous scoring chances in the game that they could not finish.

Less than two hours before Wednesday's game, manager Dave Trembley summoned the Orioles' 13 position players into his office for a quick talk. Fed up with his team's recent play, Trembley gave a brief and stern lecture that focused on playing hard and smart, but most importantly, playing team baseball. The Orioles then went out and proved why such a talk was needed. Finding different ways to squander scoring chances and getting another uneven start from rookie Jason Berken, the Orioles were beaten, 6-3, by the Oakland Athletics in front of an announced 19,128 Wednesday at Camden Yards.

Fallston coach Christopher Hoover didn't hesitate. Moments after the final horn sounded in last night's boys soccer game, he yelled a suggestion to C. Milton Wright coach Brian Gunter. "Hey, coach, one more?" Hoover said with a smile. The question was understandable as No. 5 Fallston and No. 11 C.M. Wright battled to a 0-0 tie in an Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference game. The host Mustangs and visiting Fallston played 100 minutes in a game filled with strong play. C.M. Wright (8-2-1, 2-1-1)

It took quick feet, even quicker thinking and a poised finish from Centennial senior forward Lily Boleyn yesterday for the No. 2 Glenelg girls soccer team to finally surrender a goal this season. Boleyn scored her fifth goal of the year with just under five minutes to play in the second half to lead the No. 8 Eagles to an impressive 1-0 win that not only handed the Gladiators their first loss in eight games this season, but also ended their string of seven shutouts. The Gladiators went more than 636 minutes without allowing a goal to start the season.

ST. LOUIS - The Blast ran into a buzz saw last night. The St. Louis Steamers didn't miss a beat against the Blast, working hard the entire game and combining with some missed Blast scoring chances in the first half to defeat the Blast, 6-3. "They worked hard again," said Blast coach Tim Wittman, referring to an earlier meeting with the Steamers. "You just have to keep on playing and try and get out of the hole." The Blast (6-9) tried to get back into the game in the fourth quarter when it pulled goalie Sagu with 5:33 remaining, trailing 6-2. With a man advantage, Giuliano Celenza beat goalie Brett Phillips to cut the lead to 6-3. Celeneza had two scoring chances minutes later, but Phillips managed to get a hand on both shots.

Century was curious about meeting Seton Keough yesterday in the McDonogh Tournament. The Knights, who have been routing most of their opponents since beginning varsity play last year, jumped to a 4-0 start this spring and wanted to see how they'd fare against a tough opponent. That's why there weren't too many long faces on the Knights' bench after No. 13 Seton Keough rallied to pull out a 9-8 victory over No. 9 Century. The Knights gave Seton Keough all it could handle at both ends of the field.

South Carroll coach Erin Soulen delivered a baby boy Saturday, and the Cavaliers gave her the perfect present last night at Francis Scott Key. Kerrie Wuenschel scored on a shot from just inside the circle 7:05 into sudden-death overtime to give No. 5 South Carroll an emotional 2-1 field hockey victory over No. 11 Francis Scott Key. Soulen will likely be out for the next few weeks with Melisa Gray stepping in to coach. Gray and the Cavaliers players desperately wanted to give Soulen a win to celebrate the birth of her son Jake in the team's first game without her. "They wanted to win this game for her and [Jake]

The Westminster girls soccer team didn't generate much offense last night against visiting North Carroll. But the defense proved tough enough to give the Owls another shutout victory. Samantha Stone scored midway through the first half, and the Westminster defense made it stand up, turning away several scoring chances to post its fifth shutout with a 1-0 win. Westminster coach Terry Molloy says his team is better suited to playing a defensive style, working hard in its own end and counter-attacking.

Throughout the early part of the season, Centennial soccer coach Mike Senisi has grown increasingly weary about his team's inability to finish its scoring chances. Yesterday, the Eagles didn't give him a chance to fret. The No. 5 Eagles converted their first three scoring opportunities en route to a dominating 5-1 victory over No. 11 Fallston yesterday at Centennial. Sophomore midfielder Hayley Siegel had two goals and two assists, senior midfielder Beth Foley scored twice, and sophomore forward Mandy Paizs contributed a goal and two assists, as Centennial (2-0-1)

Throughout the early part of the season, Centennial soccer coach Mike Senisi has grown increasingly weary about his team's inability to finish its scoring chances. Yesterday, the Eagles didn't give him a chance to fret. The No. 5 Eagles converted their first three scoring opportunities en route to a dominating 5-1 victory over No. 11 Fallston yesterday at Centennial. Sophomore midfielder Hayley Siegel had two goals and two assists, senior midfielder Beth Foley scored twice, and sophomore forward Mandy Paizs contributed a goal and two assists, as Centennial (2-0-1)

Centennial's Randy Collins is one of those highly skilled and elusive forwards who possesses an uncanny knack for being in the right place and for scoring the big goal. After scoring both goals for No. 10 Centennial (2-0) last week in a season-opening victory, the senior striker came through again yesterday against No. 12-ranked Fallston by scoring the game's lone goal in the 50th minute at Fallston. Guarded closely by a defender and running at full speed into the 18-yard box, Collins took a through ball from teammate Ryan Oates and booted the ball off the outside of his right foot.