Girls Lacrosse: Panthers Beat Owings Mills on Senior Night

Pikesville High School senior Rachel Margulies walked back toward the middle of the field, following her second-half goal against Owings Mills, when reality began to sink in for the senior midfielder.

“After I scored, I realized that was probably the last goal I’ll ever score on this field,” said Margulies, who was one of eight Panthers seniors playing in their last home game Tuesday, May 3.

But while the night was bittersweet for Margulies and the other seniors, they were happy to end their Pikesville home career on a winning note, beating Owings Mills 15-6.

The Panthers led 11-4 at halftime before scoring three of the first four goals to start the second half, including Margulies’ tally with just more than 12 minutes remaining.

Senior midfielder Skylar Fidel, who leads the Panthers in goals (26), assists (30) and points (56), racked up a team-high eight points (four goals, four assists) against the Eagles.

“It was kind of sad because it was our last time ever playing on this field,” said Fidel, who will continue her playing career at Cornell University. “But it was really exciting to win our last game here, and to go out with a bang, beating Owings Mills by nine goals.”

Fellow senior midfielder Paulina Miller, who recorded three points (one goal, two assists) against Owings Mills, offered similar sentiment.

“It was thrilling to win,” Miller said. “But at the same time, it was very emotional knowing that it was the last time we’d be playing on this field.”

Along with Fidel and Miller, Lacey Kurlander (three goals), Alex Shearer (three goals) and Arianne Schreirer (two goals, one assist) also tallied multiple points for the Panthers.

And while Tuesday may have been the last home game for his eight seniors, Pikesville coach Andrew Burkhardt isn’t ready to close the door on this season just yet, hopeful the Panthers (4-6) can go on a little run in the Class 2A-1A North playoffs.

After winning three straight regional championships from 2005-07, Pikesville has fallen short each of the last three years, eliminated by Loch Raven in the Class 2A-1A North championship game during each of those three seasons.

But with two straight wins heading into their regular-season finale against Towson, Burkhardt is optimistic the Panthers are peaking at the right time and can possibly make a run at their first regional title since 2007.

“I enjoyed seeing the girls happy and celebrating [after the win against Owings Mills], and I was glad to get a nice, convincing win,” Burkhardt said. “But now, hopefully we can ride this little wave of momentum into the regional tournament.”

And Margulies, also encouraged by the two straight victories, believes Pikesville is poised to do just that.

“I think we’re definitely more confident right now,” Margulies said. “And I think we can take this momentum and continue to ride the wave."