AACS captures 4th IAAM soccer crown

Megan Stine wasn't going to let Annapolis Area Christian School's streak die.

Stine countered St. Timothy's early score with a goal in each half to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 victory yesterday to secure a fourth consecutive Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland C Conference soccer championship.

"I was not focused at all in the beginning," said Stine, who scored in the 27th and 54th minutes. "Once they scored, I was like, 'Oh, my gosh. We have to get this back. We pumped ourselves up and pulled it out."

Lindsey Puopolo connected with Mary Rodes on a corner kick to give St. Timothy's a 1-0 lead 2:28 into the game, but the Eagles' defense allowed only five more shots, and Val Kilby needed just one save.

Stine scored on a pair of close touches, and Eleanor Grammas added a goal with 10:40 left.

"I knew we could (come back)," Annapolis Area Christian School coach Paul Brophy said. "But it's soccer. Anything can happen."

The Eagles (15-2-1), who lost 11 players to graduation last year, outscored the opposition, 6-1, in two playoffs games. Key took five shots in the semifinals, and St. Timothy's put three on goal.

Claire Meltzer directed a short header at Naa Adei Mante's feet on the left side for a 10-yard shot with 32:26 left, but Maggie Masters slipped into the Eagles' net to make the defensive save.

Kilby picked up Mante's 61st-minute shot on a slide, and St. Timothy's went quietly.

"They're hard to match," St. Timothy's coach Carl Genco said. "Their bench is stacked, and we have 17 girls. The difference is they're a better team."

St. Timothy's took the lead on a familiar play.

Puopolo crossed a high corner kick into the goal box for Rodes, who got her thigh on the ball and directed it past Allie Flamming - reminiscent of her second-half score in a 1-0 victory over the Eagles on Sept. 23.

"I just sort of hit it," Rodes said. "I was just there where the ball was."

Genco said about half St. Timothy's goals this season have come on set pieces. The Eagles allowed only two more corner kicks - both in the second half - and Masters cleared St. Timothy's best chance.

"This is our last game," Eagles defender Cara Pastrana said, "so you've got to leave it on the field."

Stine caught a break from St. Timothy's goalkeeper Sheila Anthony.

Hayley Jensen put a 25-yard shot through a crowd on the left side. The ball bounced away from Anthony's grasp and kicked to the center for Stine, who made it 1-1 with a six-yarder.

"I wanted to be tied by half. For a mindset, it's like a fresh start," Brophy said. "They beat us the first time we've played this year, so it was 'let's see who can break the tie.'"

Stine did.

Grammas stole an outlet pass at the top of the 18-yard box in the 54th minute and sent a short pass to Flamming in the middle. Flamming slid the ball on the right to Stine for the go-ahead goal.

"My defense was all patchwork," said Genco, who had to make lineup changes due to the flu. "I was trying to hang in there with what I had."

Grammas dribbled down the left sideline and lifted a shot into the upper-right corner for a 3-1 lead.

Stine nearly added a third goal in the 78th minute, and Katie Kinsey had a breakaway with 27 seconds left, but Anthony saved both shots.

The Eagles are 60-8-5 during their current stretch played this season without a senior.

"The championship," Flamming said, "there's a feeling about it, and you just feel so good when you're out there. You just want to win. That's all that's on my mind."

St. Timothy's (11-4) 1 0 - 1

AACS (15-2-1) 1 2 - 3

GOALS: ST - Rodes; AC - Stine 2, Grammas. ASSISTS: ST - Puopolo; AC - Flamming. SAVES: ST - Anthony 6; AC - Kilby 1. SHOTS: ST - 6; AC - 17. CORNERS: ST - 3; AC - 3.