St. Mary’s City, MD- St. Mary’s College of Maryland secured the United East Field Hockey Championship with a decisive 5-1 victory over Keystone College on Saturday afternoon, played on their home field in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. With the win, the Seahawks clinched an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Championship.
The Seahawks’ performance was spearheaded by Charlotte Horn, who scored two goals in the first quarter and was later named the tournament MVP. Her contributions played a pivotal role in helping St. Mary’s (Md.) respond quickly to Keystone’s early lead and establish control of the game.
The match began with an early shock as Keystone’s Belen Rodriguez scored just 49 seconds into play, marking the first goal allowed by St. Mary’s (Md.) in United East league play throughout the entire 2024 regular season and tournament. However, St. Mary’s (Md.) answered swiftly when Horn scored her first goal only 57 seconds later, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie.
The evenly matched first quarter concluded with Horn scoring again just three seconds before the quarter ended, putting St. Mary’s (Md.) ahead 2-1. This marked a significant momentum shift for the Seahawks.
In the second quarter, St. Mary’s (Md.) continued to build their lead. Sofia Lopez scored five minutes before halftime, extending the advantage to 3-1. The Seahawks added two more goals in the second half: Briana Allen found the net, and Emma Watkins secured the final goal, solidifying a 5-1 triumph.
Keystone College worked to regain their footing throughout the match but struggled to find scoring opportunities against the Seahawk’s resolute defense. St. Mary’s (Md.) outshot Keystone 20-17, with nine shots on goal compared to Keystone’s four. Despite the shot count, Keystone had more penalty corner chances, finishing with an 8-7 margin over the Seahawks.
Goalkeeping efforts were commendable on both sides. St. Mary’s (Md.) goalkeeper Sophia Kent recorded three saves, contributing to her team’s successful defensive strategy. Keystone’s Hannah Osbahr also made three saves during the match.
Charlotte Horn’s two-goal effort earned her the United East Field Hockey Tournament MVP honor. Her scoring prowess, alongside her timely play, was crucial in setting the tone for the Seahawks’ offensive dominance.
Looking ahead, St. Mary’s (Md.) will await their placement in the NCAA Championship. Their host location and opponent will be revealed during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, November 10, at 9:30 p.m., broadcasted on NCAA.com.
Scoring Summary:
- First Quarter:
- 0:49 – Keystone College: Goal by Belen Rodriguez
- 1:46 – St. Mary’s (Md.): Goal by Charlotte Horn
- 14:57 – St. Mary’s (Md.): Goal by Charlotte Horn
- Second Quarter:
- 25:00 – St. Mary’s (Md.): Goal by Sofia Lopez
- Second Half:
- Briana Allen and Emma Watkins scored to round out the Seahawks’ five-goal tally.
Team Statistics:
- Shots: St. Mary’s (Md.) 20, Keystone 17
- Shots on Goal: St. Mary’s (Md.) 9, Keystone 4
- Penalty Corners: Keystone 8, St. Mary’s (Md.) 7
- Saves: St. Mary’s (Md.) 3 (Sophia Kent), Keystone 3 (Hannah Osbahr)
