Decatur girls lax comes up short against Oakdale

The Stephen Decatur girls lacrosse team fell in the state semifinal round of the 3A/2A playoffs, dropping an 11-10 contest to Oakdale.

The Seahawks trailed 2-0 just five minutes into the game, but used an offensive barrage sparked largely by Victoria Kerkovich, Claire Porter and Lexie Van Kirk. Kerkovich scored two straight to tie the game with 18:28 to go, then Van Kirk scored three goals in a span just over four minutes to give Decatur a 5-2 lead with 14:53 to go in the first half. The Bears would close the half with a run of their own, Emma Bowman and Sara Parnes combined for three goals over the final 13 minutes to tie the game at 5 going into the half.

The second half began with two spectacular saves by Decatur goalkeeper Rachel Florek, followed by two quick goals by Porter and Kerkovich. Offenses for both teams went back and forth scoring over an 11 minute span in the second half, and would be tied at 10 with 7:15 to go. Frederick County midfielder of the year Sara Parnes would then add her fourth goal of the game, to give the Bears a 11-10 lead with just 5:57 to go.

After a penalty left Decatur one man down, Oakdale would hold on to the ball, eating up the clock leaving the Seahawks unable to even attempt a shot to tie. Decatur finishes the season as Bayside Champions and 3A/2A East Regional Champions for the second consecutive season.