BERLIN- History repeated itself on Tuesday when the Decatur girls’ varsity lacrosse team edged Queen Anne’s, 9-7, to capture the Bayside Conference championship, ironically by the same score by which they beat the Lions in last year’s title game.
After a see-saw first half, the Seahawks led, 5-4, at the intermission. Neither team gained any separation from the other for much of the tight, well-played second half. Decatur pulled ahead, 7-6, on a goal by Claire Porter off an assist from Lexie VanKirk. It was a duo that would prove to be the difference down the stretch.
Queen Anne’s tied the game at 7-7 with just five minutes remaining, setting up the dramatic conclusion to the conference championship game for the second year in a row between the two schools. VanKirk scored a free position goal with under a minute remaining in the game to stake the Seahawks to an 8-7 lead. After Decatur won the ensuing draw, Porter streaked down the field and fired home the Seahawks final goal of the game with just 12 seconds left to secure the 9-7 and the Bayside Conference championship.
The Seahawks’ record now stands at 12-1, their only loss coming to Cape Henlopen, 9-8, back on April 11. Last Friday, the Decatur girls doubled up neighborhood rival Worcester Prep, 14-7, at home to continue a winning streak now at eight games. The Seahawks were rewarded for their remarkable season when the state 3A-2A East Section II brackets were released on Monday.
Decatur is the top seed in its sectional and earned a first-round bye. The Seahawks will face the winner of the first-round game between familiar Bayside South rivals Parkside and Bennett in the second round on Friday at home. Kent Island is the two-seed in the sectional and will face Easton on that side of the bracket. The Seahawks handily beat all of the teams in its sectional during the regular season, the closest of which was a 15-11 win over Kent Island back on April 1.