FIELD HOCKEY: Huskies Lose State Final

Pocomoke won the Class 1A state title for the eighth consecutive year Saturday with a 1–0 victory against Patterson Mill. The Warriors have won 18 titles overall.

The Huskies (12-3-2) were shut out for the first time this season.

''I thought we had better ball control. We didn't finish today, which was unlike us,'' Patterson Mill head coach Shannon Troyer said.

The only goal came at the 19:31 mark of the second half. Pocomoke (17–2) shot and Patterson Mill senior goalie Gabby Brooks made a hand save, but Pocomoke senior forward Taylor West was there to knock the ball in.

''In the second half, we turned it on,'' Pocomoke head coach V. Susan Pusey said.

It was only the 10th goal surrendered by Brooks this season. She had stopped 157 shots coming into the contest and added six more saves Saturday.

Brooks and West are looking to continue to play in college. Wake Forest and Drexel University are looking at Brooks while West has verbally committed to James Madison University. She has six goals for the season, but had been out due to injury.

''I thought it was our game. I thought we outplayed them,'' said Troyer, who is 31-13-2 in three years with the Huskies.

Asked after the game how long the streak can go on, Pusey said, ''I like to say forever.

''Our game is a passing game. They played hit and run and we played their game in the first half,'' she added.

Pocomoke goalie Derian Mathews had two saves.

With 4:45 remaining in the contest, it looked like Patterson Mill was going to tie the game. The Huskies shot the ball, which was stopped by sophomore defenseman Jessie Todd, who got a stick on the ball to turn the shot away. It was her third save in five games.

Next year Patterson Mill returns leading scorer Emily Keesling. The junior had 18 goals this year.

''They are a great team. I hope we get them back next year,'' said Troyer, holding the runner-up trophy.