Mastal wheeled away, running more than half the length of the field to celebrate with the Seahawks’ raucous traveling student section and, eventually, his trailing teammates. The senior’s golden goal helped South River overcome a second-half deficit and qualify for its first state final appearance since 1987 with a 2-1 win over Howard in Gambrills.
“I can’t believe it. I’m pinching myself,” said Marlyn Argueta, who played for South River from 2003 to 2007, joined the Seahawks’ staff in 2011 and became varsity coach in 2019. “I’ve always wanted the best for this program, and these players believe in our coaches and our system. It’s just special.”
After an even first half in which both teams squandered their best chance, the Lions struck first in the 52nd minute.
Forward Remy Valiente chased down a long pass and held the ball in the penalty box before finding a surging Ashton Bui. Bui held off a defender and fired a shot into the top corner from close range to give Howard (13-2) the lead.
South River (13-7) pressed forward after conceding the opening goal and found one of its own eight minutes later. Ciminelli, the Seahawks’ top-scorer, latched onto a poor clearance on the right side of the penalty box and chipped the ball across goal. What the senior intended to be a cross sailed over the goalkeeper’s head and ended up as his 15th goal of the season.
The Seahawks fought more than just Friday’s deficit to qualify for their first state final in more than 35 years. South River was forced to retroactively forfeit its first four games of the season after unknowingly fielding an ineligible player, which Argueta attributed to incorrect paperwork.
The Seahawks then dropped two of their next three games but rallied to win 11 of their last 12. South River will play either Great Mills or Towson in next week’s 3A state championship.
“We had a really tough year with everything going on,” Mastal said. “It’s just good to finally make some history, and hopefully we can finish the job next week.”
Severna Park girls move on
The Severna Park girls, who conceded just three goals in 15 games entering Friday’s Maryland 3A semifinal, recorded their 13th shutout of the season in a decisive 3-0 win against River Hill in Gambrills.
“We know that when we get a couple of goals, we’ve got a very good chance with that unit behind us,” Coach Rick Stimpson said.
First-half goals from Abby Cover and Sarah Stefancik along with a second-half finish from Sara Kreis gives the Falcons (15-0) an opportunity to claim their first state title since 2003. Severna Park will play the winner of Mount Hebron and Oakdale in next week’s Maryland 3A state championship.
The Glenelg girls couldn’t overcome two Hereford goals inside the first nine minutes of Friday’s Maryland 2A state semifinal during a 2-1 loss in Bel Air.
Senior Stephanie Lathrop scored a free kick in the 27th minute to halve the Gladiators’ deficit, but Glenelg (11-3-3) couldn’t find another goal and failed to qualify for its third straight state final. Lathrop broke Howard County records for goals and points this season and finished her Gladiators career with 182 points.