Prep Notebook: Arundel hits skids for 1st time since '92

It's been only two years since Arundel's girls soccer team has lost three games. But most of its players weren't even born the last time it happened this quickly.

South River's Anna D'Ambra, Severna Park's Marisa Kresge and Broadneck's Meghenn Jackson combined to deliver the Wildcats their first three-game losing streak in more than 17 years during an eight-day span that concluded Thursday.

"There's some good teams in this league, and unfortunately, we all have to play each other," Arundel's Sydney Keer said following a 1-0 loss to Severna Park. "Someone has to come out on top."

It wasn't the Wildcats this year, despite their 11-0 start.

South River rallied for a 2-1 victory that ended with D'Ambra's double-overtime game-winner on Oct. 14 to ruin Arundel's run at a perfect season, and Kresge's second attempt beat Ariel Ross to lead the Falcons to the county title six days later. Jackson delivered the knock-out blow on the Wildcats, who are plagued by injuries and illnesses, with six minutes left in regulation for a 1-0 win.

The last time Arundel lost three consecutive games was when Southern, Severna Park and Chesapeake combined to score 12 goals in wins on Sept. 15, Sept. 18 and Sept. 22, 1992.

Arundel (11-3) went from the projected top seed in the Class 4A East Region to No. 3 and will host North County Thursday.

"I was very concerned because I know some girls on their team, and they have a good team," Severna Park goalkeeper Lexi Cavey said. "If they get a shot off, they might score."

The Wildcats put 14 shots on goal, but couldn't get one past Cavey. Keer nearly did late in the first half, but she lifted the ball above the crossbar.

Missing striker Francisco Okoko, who's out with a hamstring injury, doesn't help. But Arundel played without three starters against South River, Hayley Ross is still getting over pneumonia, Alise LeCompte is battling a tweaked knee and bronchitis and Caprice Kelty has a bruised coccyx.

Then there's the flu, with which seemingly every team is dealing.

Arundel had averaged nearly four goals per game during its first 11, but scored just one since.

Severna Park will play Howard County champion Reservoir for the District V title tonight, but Arundel doesn't mind. If anyone needs some extra time off, it's the Wildcats.

"This is a team that will do whatever they need to," Arundel coach Laura Coe said. "We still have the firepower. It's still there."

ONE STEP AT A TIME: Kent Island was a couple finishes away from winning its first Bayside championship last night. But the Buccaneers are moving in the right direction.

After beginning the season on a program-record five-game losing streak, Kent Island coach Jim Claborn didn't expect his boys to be vying for a title, let alone challenging the strongest team on the Eastern Shore step for step.

But they did. Kent Island (7-6-2) rebounded by setting another program record by going unbeaten in eight games - 7-0-1 - and going 7-0 against division opponents to claim its first Bayside North championship in the program's 11-year history.

Joey Thomas, Kyle Mills, Graysen Pollard and Teddy Breeding were able to keep Parkside (12-1) contained - despite allowing 23 shots - and gave the Buccaneers' offense plenty of time to convert. But the Rams capitalized on their second shot in Kent Island's 18 when Tanner East beat Frankie Demma during the 65th minute.

Kent Island - which tied Stephen Decatur, the only team to beat Parkside - will open the Class 2A East Region playoffs against North Caroline and will try for its second state semifinal appearance in three years.

"I think we've really established ourselves as a quality program," Claborn said.

COACHES NEEDED: North County softball coach Tommy Thompson is looking to hire head and assist coaches for the junior-varsity program. Interested individuals should call Thompson at 410-294-1091.

Mike Peters is the high school sports editor at The Capital and can be reached at 410-280-5923 or mpeters@capitalgazette.com.