MR booters face Loch Raven in state semifinals

Mike Mathews

FROSTBURG — The Mountain Ridge High boys and girls soccer teams resume their quests for soccer state championships today, with both going up against Loch Raven of Baltimore County.

While the opponent is the same, the site of the games is not. The Mountain Ridge-Loch Raven girls game is today, at noon, at North County High School in Anne Arundel County.

The Mountain Ridge-Loch Raven boys game is tonight, at 7:30, at North Hagerstown High School.

Both Mountain Ridge teams are in the state tournament for the first time in the school’s brief history.

“These wins by both the girls and boys teams has forged a tradition and established a school spirit at Mountain Ridge that will carry on for years to come,’’ said Mountain Ridge boys coach Tim Nightengale.

The semifinal winners advance to next week’s state championship games. All state championship games will be at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, at Catonsville.

Girls

The Mountain Ridge girls beat Boonsboro 3-1 in the West Region championship game on Tuesday night. Stephanie Fazenbaker had two goals and Shyler Phillips one, while Janelle Walbert, Kristin Knotts and Quincy Hegeman had assists.

Goalie Heather Shipe made six saves. She and the Miners defense have an area record 11 shutouts, including six in a row at one point during the season.

Mountain Ridge, at 17-0, is one of three undefeated teams remaining in the state, the others being the Hereford girls (Class 3A, 13-0-1) and Northern Calvert boys (Class 3A, 17-0).

The Miners have scored 82 goals, an average of nearly five per game. The defense has been equally as impressive, perhaps more, with 11 shutouts and only 10 goals allowed.

“Our defense and our goalkeeper have stepped up every time they needed to this year,’’ said Mountain Ridge coach Martha Mauzy. “I know Shyler Phillips has saved five goals for us. There’s been a number of occasions when only one person was in the goal and saved goals by clearing balls out of the area.

“It’s been a total team effort on both ends of the field. This team has an awful lot of heart. I credit the assistant coaches for their dedication and hard work, too. And the fan support has been really great.”

The Loch Raven girls (13-4-1) edged Sparrows Point 4-3 in the South Region final after having blasted Owings Mills 8-0 and Pikesville 4-0.

Loch Raven won the girls state title in 1993, 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2003, and was runner-up in 1992.

Both 1A semifinals are today at North County. Mardela (7-7) plays Harford Tech (12-3-2) at 2:30.

Boys

The Mountain Ridge boys won the West Region over Williamsport, 5-3, in a penalty-kick shootout on Tuesday. The teams had played to a 0-0 draw through regulation and two overtime periods.

The Miners nailed all five of their penalty kicks, with Brandon Rodgers, Justin Winebrenner, Zach Saylor, Brandon Cutter and Joao Toulson converting. Goalkeeper Connor Eberly had eight saves in getting his ninth shutout of the season.

“We are really proud of our boys. They have done everything we’ve asked them to do and have been our most improved team in our eight seasons,’’ said Nightengale. “Our coaching staff has done an outstanding job. We have made many adjustments and the boys have responded.

“We went back to work to prepare for the state tournament and a talented Loch Raven team. We’ll keep our same mentality of hard work, with some good luck, and good things will happen.”

Mountain Ridge is 14-2-1, has won eight in a row and 12 of its last 13. The Miners scored five goals in three regional games.

“The fan support has been fantastic all year but especially in the playoffs. Our parents, faculty and student body, known as the ‘Miner Maniacs,’ were the 12th man on the field, and are greatly appreciated.”

Loch Raven (13-4-1) beat Pikesville 2-1 in the South Region final. Loch Raven, which beat Owings Mills 6-3 in the semifinals, scored 11 goals in the South tournament.

Loch Raven won state championships in 1974, 1975 and 1977, and were runners-up in 1976, 2006 and 2007.

Today’s winner will play Pocomoke (15-2-1) in the state final. Pocomoke beat Brunswick, 1-0, last night.

Mike Mathews is a Cumberland Times-News sportswriter. Contact Mike Mathews at mmathews@times-news.com.