All season long, anyone watching South Carroll girls lacrosse saw a program that might have been lacking in numbers, but not in talent or spirit.

“When you have girls that give the effort that we give every day, you don’t need a bunch of people,” senior Leah Miller said.

The Cavaliers stuck together through the ups and downs of a grueling season, and in the end, it paid off with the ultimate prize.

South Carroll defeated Middletown, 13-5, on Tuesday to win the Class 1A state championship.

As they had done all year, the Cavaliers followed Miller’s lead. The Maryland commit scored the game’s first goal just moments after winning the opening draw.

The school’s all-time leading scorer scored seven goals, putting the finishing touches on one of the most impressive careers in program history.

Even after falling behind 3-2 early, it was Miller and fellow senior Charlotte Harrington who took charge, communicating through defensive miscues and quickly regrouping.

“Leah and Charlotte have been such great captains,” coach Brigid Scanlon said. “They’ve set a high standard and left a legacy not many girls get to do.”Once Miller and Harrington found their rhythm, perhaps the most underrated component of this year’s Cavaliers team emerged: Young talent stepping up in big moments.

“It’s the little things,” Scanlon said. “Watching everyone pick each other up and bring the energy after being down, that’s the really fun part.”

With freshman Sophia DeLuca in goal, the Cavaliers’ defense found its spark. Fellow freshman Campbell Black scored four goals — most of them coming while Miller and Harrington were being face-guarded — and helped ignite an 11-1 run that secured the program’s first state title since 2019.

“This team has been amazing,” Black said. “I’m just happy to have this amazing opportunity.”

For Miller, the win capped off a senior campaign defined by resilience. This South Carroll class had been through plenty of heartbreak over the past four years, with several talented teams that just couldn’t get over the hump.

From finally getting past county rival Liberty in the regional championship to defeating Fallston, the team that ended their season a year ago, the Cavaliers earned every bit of this title, sharing hugs and high-fives as they passed around the state championship trophy.

“From day one, we’ve been working toward this goal,” Miller said. “Finally being able to piece it all together is so rewarding.”

Have a news tip? Contact Timothy Dashiell at tdashiell@baltsun.com and x.com/dashielltimothy.

GOALS: SC— Leah Miller (7), Campbell Black (4), Cathryn Yankle (1), Charlotte Harrington (1); M — Kacie Phillips (2), Lily Brown (2), Kam Appel (1)