Wootton's Upset Bid Falls Short
By: Adam Chasen
BALTIMORE, MD - After defeating C.M. Wright in a dramatic one-goal victory, to earn a berth into the State Finals match against undefeated Severna Park, Wootton Coach Colin Thompson acknowledged his team's role as an underdog. Long ago, back in the second game of the regular season the two teams met, and as expected, power house Severna Park rolled to an 11-2 victory. The Wootton Patriots had their chance for revenge and a first ever Montgomery County Lacrosse State Championship, but it wasn't to be.
Wootton trailed 10-2, and made a strong run in the second half to cut the deficit to three, but the Severna Park Falcons would turn it on once again to finish off the Patriots by a final score of 13-7, and complete an undefeated season. Having made the State Finals four years earlier, the only other appearance by a Montgomery County team, the Patriots were attempting to become the first county team to win a state championship.
The Patriots got off to a solid start controlling possession for several minutes early, dictating play and tempo. Senior faceoff extraordinaire Michael Brailovsky (Delaware), won the first four faceoffs and Wootton had the ball for five of the first seven minutes enabling them to put pressure on Severna Park. When the first seven minutes were through, however, Severna Park led 3-1 and 5-1 at the end of the first quarter.
All of the ball possession that Wootton worked so hard for made little difference, as Severna Park executed beautifully when in control of the ball. Senior Tim Lenardo scored Wootton's loan first quarter goal on a quick move, splitting a double team up high, and ripping a low bounce shot to beat Severna Park goalie Steven Lusby. Kyle Zorn (Stony Brooke) would score two first period goals for the Falcons to help them build the 5-1 lead.
The second quarter was more of the same for both sides. Wootton worked hard for opportunities, but Severna Park took advantage of nearly all of their chances. When the halftime horn sounded, it was Severna Park that led 9-2.
Severna Park senior David Campbell started the third quarter off quickly, firing away for a goal only 90 seconds into the period to make the score 10-2. But Wootton would not back down, rattling off three straight goals, the last of which scored by senior Jeff Zefrony with only 20 seconds left in the quarter.
The score was 10-5 entering the final period and Wootton began to feel some momentum on their side. Lenardo came up big within the first two minutes of the final frame, followed by another quick strike from Patriots Sophomore Max Romm. The gap was cut to only three goals at 10-7, but that was as close as it would get. Severna Park scored the game's next three goals and went on to finish the season undefeated at 20-0 and win the 3A/4A State Championship.
"I've been involved in lacrosse for a long time as a player and coach," Severna Park Coach Larry Kramer said. "And a 20-0 season doesn't come around too often. I think this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Wootton will lose a strong senior class, but returns a lot of experienced talent including Max Romm, Alex Kyle, and leading goal scorer Chris Doran. The Patriots have not lost a Montgomery County game in four years and will have the talent back to realistically set their sights on another State Title appearance in 2011.
