Same old song, but with a different feeling

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005

For the last three years, Carroll County foes Liberty and Century have been trading 2A boys soccer regional titles back and forth. Liberty went to the state semifinals in 2002 and ’04; Century won it all in 2003.

This season, the two are again paired in the 2A West Region. Again, they would have to be considered the two favorites; Liberty (8-0) is seeded first; Century (8-2-1) third. In between is Rockville (9-1), in the same position it was last season — seeded second and trying to break up the annual all-Carroll final.

‘‘I think for me, as this year is going, it’s a good idea for us to go through both of them, so if we win, we’ll have earned it,” Rams coach Abdel Makhlouf. ‘‘I like very much that we have to do the hard work, it’s not based on luck.”

Two years ago, Rockville traveled to Liberty for the regional semifinals and came away with a 4-0 loss. Last season, the Lions were the third seed when they came to Rockville, and handed the Rams a hard-luck, 3-2, loss in a physical game.

The script is the same this year, with Rockville due to host a semifinal game. But the opponent this time would be Century, which Makhlouf has not seen in his five seasons at the helm. If the Rams can finally get past that hurdle, it would likely mean another trip up to Liberty.

First, though, the Rams will have to get by one of two Frederick County teams, seventh-seeded Walkersville or No. 10 Frederick. Walkersville (6-4) beat Frederick (3-7-1) on Oct. 10, 1-0. Century will play either South Hagerstown (Washington County) or South Carroll in the quarterfinals.

In the top half of the bracket, No. 4 Winters Mill (Carroll) and No. 5 North Hagerstown (Washington) are already set for the quarterfinals. Liberty will host either Middletown (Frederick) or Francis Scott Key (Carroll).

Rams hope to have learned from losses

Competing against the bigger and stronger teams in the county during the regular season may seem pointless for the Rockville girls soccer team. Seemingly, all it does is rack up numbers in the loss column. But come Friday, when the 2A West Region playoffs begin, that experience against top competition could pay off for the Rams.

‘‘I think playing in the county against some of these teams definitely helps,” first-year coach Mike Hayes said. ‘‘We play better against better teams. I hope we bring that attitude to the tournament. And hopefully we can step it up during playoff time.”

The Rams (3-8-0) will have to do just that if they want to achieve their main goal of winning at least one playoff game. After receiving a first-round bye, they’ll take on fourth-seeded Winters Mill (5-2-3) from Carroll County. Led in scoring by Emily Owen (five goals) and Mel Turner (four goals), Rockville has made steady progress through the season and looks to be playing its best as the tournament approaches.

‘‘We’ve definitely improved from day one to now,” Hayes said. ‘‘There’s been big improvement. We’re doing a lot better and we’re looking to peak in the tournament.”

Playing together, using one another to create offensive opportunities, and executing passes on a consistent basis are what Rockville has done well this season, and what the Rams will need to do against a strong Winters Mill team. Now that everyone seems to be on the same page, understands the new system brought in by Hayes this season, the Rams are confident they can get that one playoff win.

‘‘We haven’t been able to see [Winters Mill] play,” Hayes said. ‘‘We’re playing a team that has been picked out of a hat. I just looked at the record. Hopefully, we’re just going to try and pull off this first game. After that, we’ll be happy with anything.”

Should the Rams advance to the quarterfinals, a likely matchup with No. 1 seed North Hagerstown is awaiting.