Sports

Sports & Recreation www.oceancitytoday.com Nov. 5, 2021 Page 50

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY The Worcester Prep boys’ soccer team edged out Gunston School, 2-1, last Thursday in Berlin, to capture its seventh consecutive Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship. WP boys’ soccer squad captures 7th ESIAC title

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester Prep boys’ soccer team edged out the Gunston School Herons, 2-1, last Thursday in Berlin, to capture its seventh straight Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship.

“Seven in a row, and the boys really wanted it,” said Prep Coach Jon Adkins, who was soaking wet after his players dumped the water cooler on him to add to the celebration. “They played a great game. Gunston’s a tough team, a much improved team. Second half was much better than the first half, but that’s been the story the whole year. We play better the second half.”

Junior captain Jack Gardner, who played in the goal for Worcester until the last few games, put his team on the board at the 28-minute mark.

Gunston tied it up about 10 minutes later.

Worcester kept the pressure on in the second half and was finally successful. Sophomore Dylan McGovern crossed the ball and senior captain Brice Richins headed it into the goal with about eight minutes remaining in the game.

“It was awesome. Super exciting,” Richins said. “Dylan played a great ball to me. I just had to put my head on it to put it in. He’s done that all year. He plays it to me from the wing – either on the ground or the air –and I score. He knows I’m there.”

Freshman goalie Dillon Scopp came up with some big saves to keep the Mallards in the game. He finished with eight saves.

“I think the second half we just dominated possession. We had a lot more chances and Dillon Scopp made a couple great saves in goal. He did a great job for a freshman goalie,” Adkins said. “Possession was key and we got lots of chances. Corners was a big part of the day too. We strived for that at halftime to get more corners and we were very threatening on corners against them.”

Worcester finished the season with 12 wins, two losses and one tie.

“It was a great success,” Adkins said. “We had four goals: we wanted to win the regular conference [season], we did that. We wanted to play a championship game here, we did

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY Two Gunston players challenge Worcester Prep senior captain Brice Richins for the ball during last Thursday’s Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship in Berlin. Richins scored the game-winning goal.

Prep girls’ soccer team wins ESIAC championship

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Worcester Prep girls’ soccer team outscored the Salisbury Christian Jaguars, 3-1, at MAYS Athletic Complex in Pittsville last Thursday, to win the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship.

“It was a battle,” said Prep Coach Carol Hartnett.

The game was scoreless at the end of the first half.

“We dominated possession the first half, we just couldn’t get anything in,” Hartnett said. “At halftime, we said we were playing disorganized. We just didn’t find our shape and we had to settle in.”

Hartnett challenged the Lady Mallards to play like they know how, and to make a statement because for some of the girls, the second half would be the final 40 minutes of their high school soccer career.

Senior Myranda Beebe netted a shot 10 minutes into the second half. Senior Natalie Brushmiller made it 20 about 10 minutes later.

Salisbury cut the lead to one goal, but Beebe extended the advantage See HARTNETT Page 51

PHOTO COURTESY ALLISON BESCAK The Worcester Prep girls’ soccer team outscored Salisbury Christian, 3-1, last Thursday at MAYS Athletic Complex in Pittsville, to win the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship.

To celebrate winning their seventh consecutive Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship, Worcester Prep players dump the water cooler on Coach Jon Adkins.

Hartnett: It was a once-in-a-lifetime season

Continued from Page 50 with about six minutes left in the game.

“She just sealed it,” Hartnett said. “Everyone could take a breath in, because it was a war.”

Hartnett said Worcester’s back four – seniors Ava Nally and Lily Baeurle, and sophomores Claire Windrow and Isabella Huber – dictated the pace of the second half.

“A lot of hard work made things happen,” Hartnett said. “They settled the ball, they distributed the ball well [and] they communicate well.”

Freshman goalie Abigail Ament recorded four saves.

“She’s been playing great,” Hartnett said.

The final cheer for the senior Mallards was “protect the pond,” as they were all a bit emotional to wrap up their last soccer season.

“The seniors were freshmen the last time they won both the conference and tournament,” Hartnett said. “After the game we told [all] the girls to take a moment, stop and savor this.”

Players who received All-ESIAC accolades were announced after the game. Prep players who earned awards were: Nally, Beebe, Brushmiller, Baeurle, senior captain Morgan White and Windrow (honorable mention).

Hartnett presented team awards to White (MVP), Baeurle (Coaches Award) and senior Hannah Brasure (Most Improved).

The championship game, Hartnett added, was a reflection of the season.

“Upbeat attitudes, the girls were cheering for each other, senior leadership, being helpful to each other,” Hartnett said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime season, because all the stars lined up. I told them this will be a team I talk about for years to come, and how proud I am of them.”

The Mallards finished the season with a 10-1 record. They had seven shutouts.

“They’re a great group of girls. I had a great time coaching them,” Hartnett said. “Thirty-one girls and it was so copacetic. They enjoyed each other’s company and they worked as a unit.”

The team will graduate 14 players, but many underclassmen contributed this season. There were also nine freshmen on the team who gained valuable varsity experience.

“Everyone played their role. There were no superstars. Everyone contributed,” Hartnett said. “Everything fell into place because of hard work.”

Between the talent returning and solid incoming freshmen, the team should be strong again next season.

‘We accomplished all our goals’ this year, coach says

Continued from Page 50 that. We wanted to beat the public schools, we did that, and we wanted to win the ESIAC championship, and we did that. We accomplished all our goals.”

The team was presented its championship trophy at the end of the game and All-ESIAC team players were announced.

Prep players who earned All-Conference awards were: Richins, McGovern, Gardner, freshman Ben McGovern, junior Austin Gentry, senior captain Michael Wehberg and senior Tristen Weinstein (honorable mention).

Richins was also named ESIAC Player of the Year.

“It’s great, but it’s all from my teammates,” he said. “The bigger accomplishment is winning the championship.”

Adkins presented team awards to Richins (MVP), Dylan McGovern (Coaches Award) and Weinstein (Most Improved).

The team will only graduate five players, so the program should be strong next season.

“The future’s bright. We’re losing a lot of key guys, but only five seniors, so a lot of guys will be back, a lot of talent,” Adkins said.

LISA CAPITELLI/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

PAGE 52 Decatur volleyball team preparing for playoff run

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur volleyball team earned the No. 2 seed in the MPSSAA 3A South Region II and a first-round bye.

The Seahawks will host either No. 3 Crofton or No. 6 Northeast on Monday at 5 p.m. in Berlin. Those teams were slated to go head-to-head yesterday. “We look strong when we receive the serve well,” Decatur Sara Patrick Coach Sara Patrick said earlier this week. “We will practice passing to target and being aggressive at the net. The girls need to work on controlling the ball and not losing momentum when we have the ball.”

Decatur finished the regular season with a 12-3 record. The Seahawks were the top Bayside Conference South team and battled the Easton Warriors, the No. 1 North squad, on Monday for the championship.

Decatur won the first game, 25-18, but home team Easton took the next three, 25-16, 25-8 and 25-19.

“They played great on and off,” Patrick said Monday evening. “First game and last game looked great.”

Senior captain Logan Patrick had 19 digs, seven kills, three assists, one ace and one block.

Senior Alexis Chambers added five kills and three digs.

Junior Sydney Patrick chipped in with seven kills, four aces, three digs and an assist. Junior Taya Price tallied three kills, two blocks, two digs and an assist.

The next day, the Seahawks were back on the court preparing for playoffs.

“Practice went really well. We focused on serve receive and blocking,” Coach Patrick said Tuesday. “The team is in great spirits and excited to start playoffs next week.

“We definitely feel like hosting the game will be an advantage,” she added. “The support of family and friends keeps the girls pumped when we are playing.”

PHOTO COURTESY DAN STEARMAN Stephen Decatur golfers who competed in the state tournament last week at University of Maryland - College Park, from left, are sophomore Kole Kohut, senior captain Abby Wesche, freshman Sam Boger, senior captain Jacob Bauer and sophomore Evan Oglesby.

Successful season for SD golf team

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) Five Stephen Decatur golfers competed in the state tournament last week at University of Maryland - College Park.

The 3A/4A classification schools played last Monday. Decatur, a 1A/2A school, took to the challenging course on Tuesday. The top teams and individuals advanced to the final round on Wednesday.

Sophomores Kole Kohut and Evan Oglesby, senior captain Jacob Bauer and freshman Sam Boger competed as a team. Senior captain Abby Wesche played as an individual in the tournament.

Wesche was the only Decatur golfer with experience playing in the state tournament. She was one of three Decatur golfers who advanced to the tournament in 2019, when she was a sophomore.

Oglesby (83), Kohut (90), Boger (94) and Bauer (98) did not qualify for the second day of the 2021 competition. Wesche shot an 85 on Day 1 and made the cut to advance to the second day.

The cutoff for boys was 81, and 85 for girls.

“They played as well as they could on a golf course they’re not familiar with. It was a great opportunity for the younger players to experience it for the first time. They saw how competitive it was and it will help them for next year,” said Decatur Coach Dan Stearman. “Abby had a great day. She was the only one from the Bayside Conference to advance to the finals. That’s quite an accomplishment. I was proud that she got to the finals.”

Wesche shot a 95 on the second day.

“I think that I didn’t play to my full potential on either day, but I am happy with the way that I played on the first day,” she said. “Going into the first day I wasn’t as nervous as I thought that I would have been, which I believe is what helped me play well that day compared to the second day. Just being in the top six girls from the 1A/2A was a great feeling. I didn’t play as well as I would have liked on the second day, I think due to how nervous I was and my whole team watching me play the first few holes.”

The Decatur group earned a spot in the state championship because of their performance during the Oct. 13 District VIII tournament. Decatur came in second place, two strokes behind Kent Island, 330-328.

The team score advanced the Decatur foursome – Kohut (80) Oglesby (82), Bauer (83) and Boger (85) – to states. Wesche shot a 91 during the district event, which qualified her as an individual for states.

The week prior, Decatur captured the Bayside Conference championship by one stroke over Kent Island, 338-339. The Seahawks went undefeated, 11-0, during the regular season.

“We had a great season. We exceeded some expectations and they surprised me some times,” Stearman said. “It will catapult us to bigger and better things. We’re young and they want to get better. The season showed how much better they can get, which is exciting for us.”

Stearman said he enjoyed coaching the players this year.

“It was fun to coach this group. Sky is the limit for this group next year, because even though we’re graduating some seniors, I think the talent level here and the players moving up the ranks is really going to help us moving forward,” he said. “It’s going to be very exciting to be the Decatur golf coach the next couple years.”

The team will graduate three players – Bauer, Wesche and Evan Ritz.

“My freshman year I was on JV and the other three years I was on varsity. To sum up my high school golf career, I would say that it was a great experience getting to know new people and making new friends,” Wesche said. “Also playing competitively was an amazing experience, especially getting the chance to be able to play at a higher level like going to states. The competition level is much higher than what you are used to playing at a normal match.”

The team will return a number of skilled golfers, Stearman said. In addition, Stearman said the JV program had 10 talented golfers this season. Several eighth graders who will be freshmen next year are solid players as well. There were eight players –seven freshmen and one sophomore – participating in a “first year” program this season.

“I think we’ll be strong next year as well,” he added.

“I think that this year’s team is going to go far in the future. They are such a young team with a lot of talent so I wish them all the best of luck for their future seasons,” Wesche said.

Dan Stearman

Decatur football team gets 58-0 shutout over Snow Hill

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur football team wrapped up the regular season on a high note, shutting out cross-county rival, the Snow Hill Eagles, 58-0, last Friday on the road.

“The defense didn’t allow a first down in the first half and the offense was hitting on all cylinders,” said Decatur Coach Jake Coleman. “There was nothing they didn’t do well. We came out and played great defense, the tackling was phenomenal and we were able to go at them. We took away what they wanted to do, and our offense was making big plays.”

Senior Zimere Handy caught a 43yard pass from senior quarterback Ashten Snelsire to kick things off for Decatur. He then ran the ball 31 yards for a touchdown.

Snelsire hit junior Luke Mergott from 30 yards out for the final score of the quarter.

Decatur led 21-0 at the end of the first.

Senior Kresen Muir opened the scoring in the second quarter, catching a 26yard pass from Snelsire.

Mergott, senior RJ Brittingham and sophomore Brycen Coleman helped extend Decatur’s lead.

Junior Adam Hilbert scooped up a Snow Hill fumble and ran the ball 50 yards into the end zone.

At halftime the visiting Seahawks were on top, 58-0.

Sophomore Brogan Eastlack was 8for-8 on extra points.

Snelsire was 14-for-17, passing for 278 yards.

“Austin was sharp and accurate,” Coach Coleman said. “He’s the state leader in passing two years in a row (at the end of the regular season).”

Handy caught four passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman caught three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Mergott tallied 58 yards on two catches (two touchdowns).

The Decatur defense made 42 tackles. Leading the group was junior Daegan Risser (four solo) and senior Jerry Grant (two solo/two assists) with four tackles each.

“We played well overall and everyone got in. It was a great way to end the regular season,” Coleman said. “It’s how we wanted to come into playoffs. And we came out healthy, which is another bonus.”

Decatur received the No. 3 seed and will host the No. 6 Queen Anne’s Lions tonight, Friday, at 6 p.m. in Berlin.

“It’s our first home playoff game in 17 years,” Coach Coleman said. “We’re all excited to have a home playoff game. All of our home games have been pretty awesome this season and we’re expecting another huge crowd.”

Queen Anne’s edged out Decatur, 3534 on Oct. 14.

“In that game we were not able to stop their rushing attack,” Coleman said. “The kids are looking forward to playing better this time. Hopefully we tackle much better this time around, and I know we can do it. We have to contain their quarterback and we have to be able to run the ball ourselves.”

Coleman said a patriotic crowd theme has been set and fans are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, stars and stripes.

Decatur girls’ soccer team’s season ends in first round

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur girls’ soccer team’s season came to an end in the first round of the MPSSAA 3A South Region II tournament.

Fifth-seeded Decatur lost 6-0 to a strong No. 4 Chesapeake squad of Anne Arundel County on the road last Wednesday. “They were a really good team,” said Decatur Coach Rich Venere. “We had some miscues that resulted in goals. They capitalized on all the opportunities we gave them.”

Decatur finished the season with seven wins, five losses and a tie.

“We deemed the season a success coming off a 4-7 (record) last season. It was the team’s first winning season since 2015,” Venere said. “Some of the highlights of the season were: we got our first win over Parkside since 2015, we got a big (6-3) win over Snow Hill on the road – we went 0-3 against them last year – and we beat Queen Anne’s 1-0 in the final game of the season, who won Baysides a few days later. We had some nice accomplishments. I’m really happy about that.”

Venere said he enjoyed his first season as head coach. Venere has been a travel team soccer coach in the area since 2009. Four Decatur players are on his travel team, which made the transition to coaching the Decatur squad a bit smoother, along with the help of his assistants. He also worked with many of the underclassmen during a summer league in Salisbury.

“I had a fabulous time coaching the girls. I adjusted to coaching high

PHOTO COURTESY BRENDA HOMMEL Runners who finished in the top 15 in the boys’ and girls’ Bayside Conference Championship races last Wednesday in Cambridge received ribbons. Decatur athletes who took home awards, in front, from left, are freshman Amber Marshall, sophomore Macy Woroniecki and junior Carolina Novelli, and in back, sophomore Ethan Justice and senior Tristan Dutton. Freshman Luke Leffew, right, placed 14th in JV open race.

Decatur boys’ XC team takes third and girls’ squad fourth

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur boys’ cross country team finished in third and the girls’ squad placed fourth during last Wednesday’s Bayside Conference Championship in Cambridge.

The top 15 runners in each race received ribbons.

James M. Bennett won the boys’ competition, scoring 71 points. Kent Island came in second place with 75 points, followed by Decatur with 104.

“The boys’ team performed well with all of the members reaching personal records at the Bayside meet,” said Decatur Coach Brenda Hommel. “Our boys’ team is very young as well, only graduating three seniors and no juniors, so I look for them to continue to become more competitive over the next couple of years.”

The top five finishers for Decatur were: senior Tristan Dutton (third, 16:56.20), sophomore Ethan Justice (eighth, 17:36.20), senior Gavin McCabe (17th, 18:35.30), freshman Luke Braciszewski (30th, 19:22.10) and junior Shiloh Carmack (55th, 21:21.40).

“Senior Tristan Dutton and sophomore Ethan Justice both have a good chance of making it to the state cross country meet if they run strong at the regional meet [Nov. 4] at Chesapeake High School,” Hommel said.

Easton won the girls’ competition with 63 points, followed by Kent Island (64), North Caroline (68) and Decatur (69).

Scoring points for Decatur were: freshman Amber Marshall (eighth, 22:37.70), sophomore Macy Woroniecki (11th, 23:24.20), junior Carolina Novelli (12th, 23:26.60), and freshmen Clarice Piela (32nd, 26:05.70) and Chloe Resnick (41st, 28:15.70).

“The girls’ team experienced a crushing disappointment at Baysides, missing the win by just seven points. The girls needed to fill two varsity spots with JV runners since two of the varsity members did not participate in the meet,” Hommel said. “After having won every conference meet of the season, the girls’ team was primed for winning the first Bayside title for Decatur since 2008. Although the girls did not walk away with the trophy, hopefully they walked away with a valuable lesson in the importance of commitment to the team.

“I am confident that we will have a very competitive team again next year since the majority of our top runners throughout the season were underclassmen and team leader Carolina Novelli was finally cleared from an injuring lasting most of the season,” she continued. “With such a young girls’ team – only one of our runners has ever attended a regional meet – the ladies are looking forward to the experience and seeing what the competition at the 3A South Region brings.”

Decatur was scheduled to compete in the 3A South Region meet yesterday, Thursday. The state championship will take place on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Hereford High School in Parkton.

Decatur boys’ soccer squad ‘grew and we learned a lot’

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Nov. 5, 2021) The Stephen Decatur boys’ soccer team battled, but came up a goal short in the 3A South Region II championship on Tuesday in Salisbury.

“We played really well. All the things we talked about, we did them – marking their key players tight and moving the ball and passing well,” said Decatur Coach Jamie Greenwood. “The boys did everything they were asked. Just a few lapses in marking hurt us.”

Decatur senior captain James Barrett scored two and a half minutes into the game. Bennett, the No. 1 seed, evened it up about 16 minutes before halftime.

Three minutes into the second half sophomore Sean O’Halloran was fouled and second-seeded Decatur was awarded a penalty kick. Barrett netted the shot to put the Seahawks up 2-1.

Bennett tied it with 16 minutes remaining in the game and took the lead with four minutes left.

Decatur junior goalie Owen Knerr recorded 10 saves.

The Seahawks advanced to the championship after shutting out the No. 3 Oxon Hill Clippers, 3-0, on Saturday in Berlin.

Senior captain Miguel Cervantes made it 1-0 at the 18:09 mark. Freshman Holden Bunting put Decatur on top, 2-0, with 1:46 remaining in the first half.

Barrett boosted the Berlin squad’s advantage to 3-0 with nine minutes left in the game.

Knerr finished with eight saves.

“We hadn’t played in 10 days, and we struggled a little bit. We looked a little rusty,” Greenwood said after the game.

Decatur finished the season with an 11-3 record.

“I was happy with it. We grew and we learned a lot,” Greenwood said. “We put people in new positions and we adapted.”

Greenwood said the team was competitive in all its games this season.

“We were in every single game. The three losses we had were 2-0, 10 and 3-2. You can’t be disappointed about that,” he said. “We fought all year.”

The team will graduate seven seniors, three of whom were starters.

“We’re returning eight out of 11. That’s good for us,” Greenwood said. “And the JV program is strong. I think next year looks very bright.”

Stephen Decatur sophomore Brogan Eastlack controls the ball during last Saturday’s 3A South Region II semifinal game in Berlin. Decatur won, 3-0.

LISA CAPITELLI/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

Venere enjoyed first season coaching SD Lady Seahawks

Continued from Page 53 school girls as the season went on,” he said. “I enjoyed all of the players. We were 40 players strong – 22 varsity and 18 JV – and they were all great girls.” The team will only graduate two seniors – Malery Andrews and Miah Schwind.

With a combination of solid players returning and talented newcomers with experience coming in, Venere said the program will be strong next year.

“There will be an insane amount of competition next year,” he said. “That competition will make the players and the program better.”