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For the fourth straight time, Severna Park and Marriotts Ridge contested the 3A girls lacrosse state championship game.
Much to the Falcons’ chagrin, last year evened the series at two titles apiece. Now, they look to go one up again, aiming for their third title in four years and their 17th in program history.
They’ve got plenty of talent back to make that charge, and they’re off to a good start. On a beefed-up schedule, Severna Park is 3-3 heading out of spring break. They opened the season with a 14-8 win over 2025 4A state finalist Urbana, followed by a 9-8 victory over 2025 2A runner-up Glenelg and a 13-2 win over Crofton.
Severna Park returns do-it-all senior and Florida signee Maria Bragg, as well as Davidson-bound defender Bella Mazzola, two steady midfielders in senior American signee Gracie Ciuba and junior George Washington commit Ava Deegan, and junior goalie Lucy Davis, who has committed to Butler.
Those five headline a returning group that will be supported by standout athletes thrust into new roles, like sophomore attacker Molly Koistinen.
“We’ve got a lot of speed across the field, which lets us push tempo and pressure opponents,” said Severna Park head coach Annie Houghton. “With several versatile utility players who can step into multiple roles, we have the flexibility to adapt and do whatever the team needs to win.”
The teeth of their loaded schedule game over spring break, where the Falcons fell 11-9 against Stone Ridge, 8-6 against St. Mary’s, and 11-6 to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Stone Ridge and Good Counsel are reigning Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland conference champions, and St. Mary’s is currently ranked in the national top 25.
Bragg currently leads the team with 15 goals and 10 assists through six games, while Deegan and Ella Worthington have each scored seven. Adding to the fanfare of a season opener, the Falcons’ first goal of the season went to senior Quinn Allison, who missed the last two entire seasons due to injury. She has four goals on the season in limited action.
Severna Park’s tough start was not done yet: they had a rematch with Marriotts Ridge on April 8, followed quickly by a showdown with five-time defending 4A champ Broadneck on April 14.
“These games will challenge us and help prepare our team for the intensity of postseason play,” Houghton said.
When longtime head coach Katy Kelley stepped down after Broadneck claimed a fifth straight 4A girls lacrosse state championship, the transition appeared clear. With so many returners, it made sense for someone on the current staff to keep things as seamless as possible.
Caitlin Gogoll took the reins, and the Bruins haven’t missed a beat.
They’re 4-1 through a tough stretch to start the season after beating reigning 3A champ Marriotts Ridge 8-7 in the season opener, topping South River 14-9, and outlasting two-time defending Delaware state champion Cape Henlopen 8-6 over spring break. They then topped reigning 1A champion South Carroll 10-6 before falling 14-11 to 2025 2A runner-up Glenelg in a one-day event at Glenelg.
The Bruins have all the pieces to stage another run deep into May. They return attackers Avery Katzen and Charlotte Robertson; midfielders Ella Trout, Louisville signee Nora Lopes and Towson commit Ceci Facciponti; defenders Naomi Doyle and Cincinnati signee Nya Williams; and goalie Molly Robison.
Broadneck has two more big tests coming up: against reigning 2A champ Manchester Valley on April 8, and a showdown with Severna Park on April 14.
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