Maryland Community Newspapers Online
The Bethesda-Chevy Chase girls soccer team has beaten the state's best during a decade of achievement that includes three state titles.
But the Barons are not used to doing it in the second round of the regional playoffs.
That's the reality in B-CC's first season in the Class 4A West region. And if Tuesday's 3-1 quarterfinal victory over visiting Wootton was any indication, it's a reality they're ready for, and maybe even a little excited about.
"I think it feels pretty good, because I think [a] coach was talking that B-CC was the new kid in town," said senior forward Owyn Mason, who scored the Barons' first goal early in the second half. "I felt kind of offended because we've always been one of the big teams that people should be afraid of."
The No. 2 Barons (12-1-0), who also got goals from Alex Doll and Alix Emden, advance to play No. 3 Blair in a semifinal. The Patriots (7-6-0), who failed to avenge a 2-1, overtime defeat to the Barons in the regular season, got a late consolation goal from Abbey Engleman.
While Mason insists some teams are overlooking the Barons, Wootton coach Keith Yanity sure wasn't.
"We felt, [maybe] we could get them early before they'd built up that playoff momentum," Yanity said of B-CC, which won the Class 3A state title last season. "I think once [B-CC] gets going — and they took a large step tonight — I don't know who is going to beat them. They're my pick."
Mason scored on a stunning run in the 43rd minute, taking Doll's pass and sweeping inside from the right, before slotting a near-post finish past Lindsay DeStefano. Doll made the score 2-0 24 minutes later after converting a PK drawn by Hannah Levin.
"We knew coming into this game that it was going to be hard, especially our first playoff game," Doll said. "We're not really used to that. Our first-round games are usually like 7-0, 5-0. But I really think everyone was really pumped and came in well and thinking that we could win, and not just playing to try to not lose."