Page 46 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch November 22, 2013 Sports In The News Seahawks Fall In State Playoffs By SHAWN J. SOPER SPORTS EDITOR BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team fell behind early in their Class 3A-South region semifinal game with Lackey on Friday and never fully recovered, eventually falling 14-6 in a wellplayed, low-scoring game, but the loss did little to tarnish what was otherwise a remarkable season for the Seahawks. The Seahawks entered the 3ASouth playoffs with a 7-3 record and a number-three seed and faced off against second-seeded Lackey in southern Maryland last Friday. Early in the second quarter, Lackey scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead with 10:39 remaining in the half. Lackey scored again with under a minute remaining on a drive that lasted just two plays in 19 seconds. The Lackey quarterback threw a 43yarder deep into Decatur territory, then scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass with just 48 seconds remaining before intermission to extend its lead to 14-0 at the break. That was it for Lackey, but it proved to be all the scoring they would need. With just under eight minutes remaining in the third, Decatur got on the board with a three-yard touchdown run by P.J. Copes to cut the lead to 14-6 with a lot of time left. However, the Seahawks never really got another whiff at the end zone. On two fourth quarter drives for Decatur, one ended in a punt and the Seahawks turned it over on downs on the other. Despite being shut out in the second half, Lackey held on for the 146 win and advanced to the 3A-South championship game this weekend. Nonetheless, it was a remarkable season for the Seahawks, who, after falling to 2-3 following a Homecoming loss to Easton, reeled off five straight wins to finish at 7-3 and reach the state playoffs. Decatur beat old rival Indian River for the first time ever in the season opener, then lost to Queen Anne’s in week two. After beating Cambridge-South Dorchester in its third game, Decatur then dropped two straight to Kent Island and Easton. Decatur then went on a big roll, winning their last five games to finish at 7-3. During the stretch, the Seahawks beat North Caroline, Wicomico, Bennett, Parkside and county rival Snow Hill in the annual season finale to finish at 7-3 and earn the number-two seed in the state playoffs. Three Worcester Prep standout girls’ varsity lacrosse players last week formalized their commitment to continue their careers at the next level at high-profile universities by signing letters of intent. Pictured above, from left, Lilly DiNardo, who is headed to Virginia; Maddie Pilchard, who will play next year at Stanford; and Kristen Shriver, who accepted a scholarship offer from Winthrop University. Photo by Shawn Soper Three Mallards Sign With Big Programs they recruit.” By SHAWN J. SOPER SPORTS EDITOR 2nd Annual Ravens-Steelers 5K Set By SHAWN J. SOPER SPORTS EDITOR OCEAN CITY – Before the big boys hit the field in Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving night for the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the Ravens and the Steelers, local bragging rights will be settled on Saturday between the two teams’ loyal followers in the resort area with the first-ever 5K race and other events to fuel the competitive fire. Hosted by OC Tri-Running and sponsored by neighborhood rivals 28th Street Pit-and-Pub and Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon, the second annual Ravens-Steelers 5K race and associated events are set for tomorrow with the area in and around 28th Street as ground zero. The event pits fans from both teams against each other in a 5K race and other events with bragging rights on the line. Each establishment will serve as headquarters for the two teams’ fans with the Steelers fans camped at Buxy’s and the Ravens fans setting up shop at the 28th Street Pitand-Pub. The 5K race runs from 27th Street and the Boardwalk to 1st Street and back. The cumulative times of the first 100 registered Ravens fans to finish will be compared to the first 100 Steelers fans to finish and a trophy will be awarded to the winner that will remain in the winning establishment until the event next year. After the 5K race, team members will compete in a variety of events in and around the beach between 27th and 28th Street. Among the events are a football bomb throw, a quarterback accuracy throw, a 40-yard sand dash and a beach combine strength and agility. Also included are non-athletic football related events such as a rib-eating contest for example. In the inaugural event last year, the top 50 runners representing the Ravens edged the top 50 Steelers runners, resulting in the 28th Street Pit-and-Pub holding the trophy and bragging rights for the past year. BERLIN – Worcester Prep’s highly successful girls’ varsity lacrosse program added a few more bright feathers in its cap last week with three players signing letters of intent to accept scholarships to play at the next level at some high profile universities. Senior goalkeeper Maddie Pilchard last Friday signed a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Stanford next year following her senior season, while senior Lilly DiNardo signed on with the University of Virginia and senior Kristen Shriver is headed to Winthrop University in South Carolina. For Worcester Prep, the three significant commitments continue a long tradition of major signings for strong academic and athletic college programs. DiNardo, a three-sport standout who also plays soccer and basketball, is headed to Virginia after her senior season at Worcester this spring. DiNardo, a prolific scorer at midfield for the Mallards, scored her 100th career goal last year and finished her junior season with 126. She has already accumulated many accolades at Worcester including being named to the U.S. Lacrosse High School All American team in 2013. She said last week she visited UVa two times and has always aspired to play at the prestigious, tradition-rich school. “It has always been my first choice,” said DiNardo, who was courted by other major collegiate programs. “I’ve been on two visits that were strictly lacrosse-related, and I got the chance to go a football game there this fall. I’m very excited to be a part of such a great tradition.” DiNardo will head to UVa next fall as a freshman and said she expects to be counted on as a contributor right from the start. “Virginia has one of the smallest rosters for a high-level Division I school and they expect all of the players to contribute,” she said. “They are very selective about who Pilchard, a standout goalkeeper at Worcester, is headed to Stanford after getting noticed by coaches at a tournament in Richmond during her sophomore year. With Pilchard in goal, Worcester went 13-2 last year and captured the ESIAC championship. Following the 2013 season, Pilchard was named to the ESIAC All Conference first team. She said Stanford was her first choice because of its strong lacrosse program and stronger academic reputation. “I went out there for a visit during my sophomore year and immediately knew that’s where I wanted to be,” she said. “Once I found out it was possible, I didn’t look anywhere else. It’s strong in academics and athletics and they expect to win national championships.” With Stanford’s deep roster, Pilchard said she wasn’t certain when she would get an opportunity to step in for the Cardinal. “There are two goalies in my class and a senior goalie who will start next year,” she said. “Honestly, I’m just fine with being on the team and I’ll be prepared when they call on me.” Shriver, a prolific scorer as at attack and midfield for the Mallards, is headed to Winthrop in South Carolina. She was also named to the U.S. Lacrosse High School All American first team in 2013 and battled back from an injury to reach her goal. “I had a knee injury going into my sophomore season, which was a little bit of a setback,” she said. “My club coach told me to visit as many schools as possible and I visited 14. The very last one a visited was Winthrop and it’s a perfect fit for me. Everything just came together.” Shriver will become part of a growing program at Winthrop, which will start just its third season ever next fall. “It’s a new program and I’ll be part of just their third recruiting class,” she said. “I’ll be expected to step right in and play as a freshman, so I’ll have to work really hard.”