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Just as in every other season since Amy Wood took the head coaching reigns of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase field hockey program 16 years ago, the Barons are the favorites to capture a regional title, in this case the 3A West. Considering they have won a regional championship in 14 of her first 15 seasons, it's easy to understand why B-CC carries favorite status.
Besides history in the team's corner, the Barons (10-4) boast one of the county's best one-two combinations in senior captains Clare Becker (13 goals, 14 assists) and Catherine Mirsky (8 goals, 7 assists). Senior goalkeeper Claire Veith has seven shutouts. Senior forward Mimmy Wentzel is another solid scoring option, with seven goals.
B-CC, the county's Central Division champion, is also on a roll, having won its final six matches of the regular season and nine of its last 10. Its current win streak includes four straight against winning 4A squads: Walter Johnson (9-3), Whitman (7-5), Churchill (9-3) and Quince Orchard (9-3).
Wood said "solid and consistent play" as well as "taking advantage of opportunities and capitalizing on them" would be the keys for B-CC.
"It is the playoffs and every team must be taken seriously as this point in the season," she said. "It is an even slate."
Her squad opens the playoffs with a first-round bye and will play the winner between eighth-seeded Wheaton (0-11) and ninth-seeded Watkins Mill (2-10) in a quarterfinal contest.
The Barons are anything but a lock to capture the 3A West title. Not with county foes Damascus (9-3) and Paint Branch (7-5) looming large as the region's second and third seeds, respectively.
The Swarmin' Hornets, in fact, are the last team to defeat B-CC. They won a midseason contest 2-1, although Damascus coach Jodi Hathaway believes a similar victory will be difficult, as it's always tough to beat the same team twice in the same season.
Damascus opened the season with seven wins in its first eight matches, dropped back-to-back decisions to Poolesville (8-3-1) and Clarksburg (6-7) before ending the regular season with victories against Sherwood (5-7) and Seneca Valley (3-9).
Paint Branch followed up on a successful 2007 season with another strong campaign under coach Daniel Feher, whose zone defense has limited top 4A opponents Blake (12-0), Springbrook (10-1-1) and Magruder (7-4) to a single goal each, while also recording six shutouts.
Offensively, the Panthers are paced by freshman Lindsey Janoskie and junior Kelly Jenney.
"I think we are capable of playing with any team we face if we are focused, and we have been for the most part," Feher said. "I think we have grown since last year and we were very close to improving our county record. The next step is to improve on our playoff performance."
For results of Tuesday's first round, visit gazette.net/montsports
Quarterfinals (Oct. 23)
No. 9 Watkins Mill or No. 6 Wheaton at No. 1 B-CC, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Frederick at No. 4 Urbana
No. 11 Kennedy or No. 6 Tuscarora at No. 3 Paint Branch, 3:30 p.m.
No. 10 Einstein or No. 7 Sen.Valley at No. 2 Damascus, 3:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Tuesday, Oct. 28, matchups TBD
Final
Thursday, Oct. 30
