by Derek Toney
In the moments following Monday evening’s Class 1A state field hockey semifinal between Pikesville High School and Pocomoke, it was impossible to distinguish which team had advance. Both teams were smiling and enjoying the postgame revelry with friends and family.
The scoreboard at Broadneck’s Lawrence E. Knight Stadium summed up what had occured on the field: Pocomoke 14, Pikesville 0. It also spoke volumes of the difference between the two programs.
Pocomoke (15-2) will go for its fifth consecutive state crown next Tuesday evening at Broadneck against either Kent or Poolesville. It will be the 19th state title game appearance for the Worcester County school which has a state-best 14 victories.
Pikesville was making its second straight appearance in the state Final Four. The Panthers, who won the North Region crown after winning three contests during the regular season, was denied for the second straight year by Pocomoke.
“A lot of us got regionals two years in a row and it was a big deal,” said Pikesville senior midfielder Sam Fink, whose team finished 6-10. “We just made the best of it. We’re not going to dwell on the score, we played hard. We put together our skills and we made it so much fun.”
Like last year’s 7-0 decision, Pikesville knew it was outmatched and viewed it as an opportunity to learn from one of the state’s premier programs. Senior attack Erica Henderson scored four goals and had an assist for Pocomoke, and freshman Natalie Parks had three goals. Jenny Wheeler and Michelle Roberts had two goals and junior Kirstie Denning contributed four assists.
Henderson posted her seventh hat trick of the season, and has 33 goals for the year. Pikesville had 24 goals as a team this fall. The Panthers had nearly half of their output in the North Region playoffs that followed a regular season where they played Baltimore County champ Towson and runner-up Catonsville twice.
“We were in the top division for Baltimore County, so we had to go against a lot of tough competition,” said Fink, whose team defeated Carver A&T, Harford Tech and Joppatowne to reach the round of four. “It helped us when got to the regionals.”
It was an entirely different situation Monday against Pocomoke. The Panthers managed to cross Pocomoke terrority a handful of times. Their best scoring opportunity came in the first half when Alissa Gulin’s shot off a penalty corner from Fink went wide.
Pocomoke led 8-0 at halftime as Henderson had her goal output for the evening. The defending state champions stick work, passing and shooting simply overwhelmed Pikesville. Pocomoke coach Susan Pusey was able to get her reserves ample minutes.
“It was just nice to let everyone play,” said Pusey, in her 16th season. “My non-starters did a fantastic job, everyone was passing really well, that was so nice to watch.”
Pusey has a lot to look forward to in the future with only Henderson and Heather McGahagin graduating. Though playing in the state finals has become second nature, Pocomoke doesn’t take it for granted.
“We don’t get tired of it because each year is different,” said Pusey. “It’s totally exciting to be here, just having the chance to play.”
Pikesville was also appreciative of the opportunity. The Panthers graduate 12 seniors, and plan to build next season around sophomores Ivy Stein and Jara Title.
“We can’t hang our heads about such a big loss. To be here in this environment, they’re just happy,” said Pikesville second-year coach Holly Talbert. “It’s been a long season for them. I think they’re happy with the outcome.”
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