Winning Season

Nose guard Paul Burke, linebacker Wayne Ambrose and cornerback Zach Ring, all seniors, and sophomore Eric Bolner, playing his first varsity game, led two second-half goal line stands, and Lloyd Henson intercepted a pass inside his 15-yard line inside the final two minutes Friday night to help Chesapeake of Anne Arundel remain on pace to secure the program's second winning season. A 17-yard scoring run by Dennis Sheets tied the score with five minutes to play, and Chris Majerowicz kicked the game-winning extra point, as the Cougars (5-3 overall and league)

Leah Onda's glittering lacrosse career at South Carroll always harbored a gap. The senior captain led her team in scoring since her freshman season, and earned a lacrosse scholarship to Hopkins - accomplishments that would thrill any player. But she had never showcased her talents on a winning Cavaliers stick squad, and that bothered her. The Cavaliers had losing records her freshman and sophomore seasons, before improving to 7-7 last season. "It's frustrating to play on a losing team, especially for someone who's worked so hard," Cavaliers coach Bridget Harris said.

After stopping a two-point conversion attempt with 25 seconds left to preserve a 14-13 victory over Calvert County's Patuxent on Sept. 19, Archbishop Spalding's football team was treated to a surprising sight.The Cavaliers were shocked to see a crowd of nearly 300 students and fans waiting at their locker-room door.It was an unfamiliar sight and reaction for the Severn-area football team. Wins have not been common for the Cavaliers, who have had but one winning season.But they could be on the way to number two in this, their 14th campaign.

With every season, Westminster senior standout Jill Ibex has expanded her game.The 6-foot tall center was moved up to varsity three games into her freshman season and averaged six points and five rebounds, playing a defensive role off the bench.As a sophomore on a senior-laden team, she became a starter and showed signs of the complete player she has become, finishing the season averaging 10.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal a game.Last year as the go-to player, her numbers rose again: 14 points and 11 rebounds a game with 90 blocked shots, 49 assists and 38 steals.

COLLEGE PARK - Last year, when Maryland's hopes of a winning season and a possible bowl bid rested on the final regular-season game, the Terps lost to Virginia, but delivered a big-time performance. Facing the same scenario this year, the Terps were hammered by No. 20 Georgia Tech, 35-22, at Byrd Stadium yesterday. Unlike last year, they couldn't have come away happy with their day's work. "We thought we had a pretty good shot," Maryland safety Tony Jackson said of his team's chances against the Yellow Jackets.

Senior forward Matt Steppling is South Carroll's handyman.Ask Cavaliers coach Jim Carnes about all the different things Steppling provides on the basketball court, and he'll come up with a lengthy list -- scoring, rebounding, versatility and leadership, to name a few.Then ask him what the 6-foot-4 Steppling does best of all, and you won't have to wait long for an answer."

After 13 weeks, a change of quarterbacks and the arrival of a phenom running back, the Ravens' true offensive personality has finally emerged. This may be Brian Billick's passing offense, but it is suddenly Jamal Lewis' ball. And he's not giving it up. Climbing on Lewis' broad back, the Ravens crushed the Cleveland Browns for a landmark 44-7 win yesterday before 68,361 at PSINet Stadium. The Ravens' ninth victory against four losses assured the franchise of its first winning season, but it was a game that said more about where the team was headed than where it has been.

Meade's boys lacrosse team won its first game in two years last week, and we erred in noting the Mustangs' last winning season, which was an 8-6 showing in 1992 for coach Lou Norbeck. We thank Matt Rayman, who played on that team, for calling the 24-hour Sportsline to fill us in.Pub Date: 3/27/98

As Oriole Park at Camden Yards greets its 16th Opening Day this evening, the facility that began the nationwide wave of retro-ballparks is still widely regarded as the most elegantly executed of them all. What is profoundly different now, as opposed to earlier seasons, is Oriole Park's recent failure to fulfill the promise of what a jewel of a downtown stadium was intended to provide to the economic well-being of the city: that is, producing the crowds...

Head coach: Richard King (10th season)Assistant coaches: Art Lewis and Sue Chittim.1989 record: 5-7.Returnees: Seniors Amy Tarun (MF), Mandy Neall (stopper), Becca Wright (FB), Meredith Winters (RW) and Dawn Kass (MF); juniors Carrie Lewis (MF), Cory Harmon (W), Kirstin Chiari (striker) and Katie Zimbolic (G).Newcomers: Juniors Lisa Roberts (FB) and Becky Janousky (MF); sophomore Jessica Cloyd (FB).Coach's outlook: "We're looking for our first winning season ever. I'm very optimistic that with a winning record we should be able to make the playoffs for the first time ever.