Schools
Pikesville Soccer Looks Forward to Next Year
Girls drop 3-0 decision to Pointers in Class 1A North title game.
The Pikesville girls soccer team came into the Class 1A North Region playoffs as the No. 6 seed and went on a wild ride that nearly earned them a spot in the state final four.
Pikesville knocked off two of the region's top seeds before falling to No. 1 seed Sparrows Point, 3-0, last week in the region final at CCBC-Dundalk.
Before that, Pikesville (8-7) beat the second and third seeds in the region and gave Sparrows Point some trouble before the Pointers scored twice in the second half to take command.
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"We've got to start here for next year and continue to grow," said Pikesville coach Andrew Burkhardt. "We ended the season pretty well, and we're all looking forward to next year."
The region playoffs were a lot of fun for Pikesville, which advanced to the second round because of a first-round bye.
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After that, the Panthers upset No. 3 seed Carver A&T, 2-1. Nicole Elover scored the game-winning goal in that road contest.
That victory earned Pikesville another road game, versus No. 2 seed Western Tech. But going on the road didn't stop the Panthers, as they rolled to a 3-1 victory in that contest.
Rachel Hoffman got the tie-breaking goal there, setting up Tuesday's region final.
"We'd been on Cloud Nine all weekend," Burkhardt said.
Sparrows Point brought the Panthers back to earth. Pikesville did a good job defensively, keeping it to a one-goal game until the Pointers got two goals later in the second half when Pikesville began taking more defensive chances since it was trailing.
Goalie Emily Starobin had a tremendous game, maknig a number of big stops that kept the Panthers close. She finished the season with 148 saves in 15 games and remained steady throughout.
Hoffman led the Panthers with 11 points (seven goals, four assists). Amanda Charlow ranked second in points with eight (seven goals, one assist). Elover and Alex Shearer were next, both with four goals and two assists for six points.
Charlow, Elover and Hoffman all finished with two tie-breaking or winning goals. Burkhardt said he is optimistic about next year because Pikesville won't lose too many players.
"For next year, we're actually a pretty young team," he said. "We only graduate four seniors, and we don't really have any huge holes. We need to come in at this level and continue to grow."