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Before Wednesday's Class 3A state semifinal field hockey match against Fallston, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High coach Amy Wood told her squad the winning team would be the one that converted its penalty-corner opportunities.

Wood, who has won 10 state titles, was right. But unfortunately for her Barons, it was the Cougars who converted on two penalty corner chances, one in each half.

Fallston defeated the Barons 2-0 at Broadneck High in Annapolis, denying B-CC a 20th appearance in the state final and ending their season for the second-straight fall. Fallston defeated B-CC, 1-0, in double overtime in the 3A state final a year ago.

"They were good [and] they were very aggressive," Wood said. "I told my girls they had a little more experience than us, and it showed. Both their goals were great. It wasn't like last year when the [winning shot] barely crossed the line. I think tonight and maybe for the year, they're a maybe a little bit better. I told the girls we lost to a really good team tonight. We didn't really beat ourselves. They earned it."

The Barons, who last won a state title in 2004, finished 2008 with a 13-5 record after opening the season with early losses to Good Counsel, St. Stephen's/St. Agnes and Severna Park (18-1), which will play Quince Orchard (12-3) for the 4A state title Saturday.