Ashly Kennedy broke No. 2 Notre Dame Prep's hearts as a player at St. Mary's, and her No. 1 Archbishop Spalding team did it again Saturday at Anne Arundel Community College.

Natalie Holmes, Abby Hanks, Allie Brimmer and Kaitlyn Keaton converted penalty kicks, with Keaton's serving as the winner in the fourth round as the Cavaliers defeated the Blazers in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference girls soccer championship, 1-0.

The win serves as redemption for Archbishop Spalding (12-2-3), whose season had ended in the conference semifinals to Notre Dame Prep the previous two years.

“We had that sour taste from those games, and I wanted the players to step up to the plate and do so with confidence,” Kennedy said. “They did so with poise and composure and class.”

The Cavaliers had to step up before the game even began, as All-State defender Emily Roberts, who suffered a high and low ankle sprain in a 2-0 semifinal win over John Carroll, was ruled out for the championship.

“The whole break between the semis and now, which was not very long, we knew there was a chance she would not be able to play, and we just had to adapt to her not being out there,” goalkeeper Jillian Savageau said.

Any nerves the teams might have had before the game were not on display as the Cavaliers had no problem pressing the issue, and Notre Dame Prep (9-3-2), looking for its first title since 2003, had no problem defending.

“This was going to be a possession-oriented game and we just had to stay calm, especially without Emily, who is normally the calming presence out there,” Kennedy said.

Brimmer sprung Hanks down the left sideline in the game's opening minute, but Notre Dame Prep goalkeeper Ashley Gabor made the save. Gabor, one of the top keepers in Maryland, was strong, particularly on crosses into the box, all game.

Katie Martin almost sneaked a shot over Gabor and under the top bar two minutes into the second half to give Spalding the lead. A few minutes later, Alyssa Minnick hit a left-footed shot just high and wide left of Savageau, who would make critical stops near post on Ellie Perry midway through the second half, and on a one-on-one near the goal line with 10 minutes to go. As the game progressed into overtime, Savageau felt penalty kicks coming on.

“In the past, we have gone to PKs with them in the playoffs, and when it came to the last three minutes of the second overtime, I started preparing for the PKs,” Savageau said. “But I did not feel the nerves going into it. I felt confident and took a deep breath, and my teammates were supporting me.”

Holmes opened the round of PKs by beating Gabor to the lower-right corner. Erica Carpenter shot high for Notre Dame Prep on her attempt. Hanks went low and to the left for her successful kick, and then Savageau saved Eva Macris' attempt.

“She was faking me and I started going the wrong way, but I was glad I got there in time,” Savageau said.

Brimmer went low right for her score, and Cecile McGarvey just beat Savageau to the right post, with the ball going just off her hands. That left Keaton with the opportunity to be the hero.

“We deserved it, so I walked up there and said ‘Let's win it for the team,'?” Keaton said. “We practiced for this and I felt confident going in. We thought it was our year, and we were right.”

B Conference

This celebration couldn't wait for the parking lot, the bus or a fast-food restaurant.

So the St. Paul's girls soccer players dived into a quagmire near the middle of the field after winning the IAAM B Conference championship with a 3-0 victory over Severn at Anne Arundel Community College.

Not only had the Gators won the title, but they went 14-0 in league play.

Laney Cornelius, Alex Pirision and Darby Welsh scored for a team that lost in the final last year to St. Mary's.

St. Paul's coach Joie Gill used that loss to motivate her team.

“I said, ‘Remember how it feels to come all this way, and it's not a fun feeling,'?” Gill said.

—?Tom Worgo, Baltimore Sun Media Group

C Conference

Carrie Davis scored the game-winner with less than two minutes left in the game as Park beat St. Vincent Pallotti, 2-1, in the IAAM C Conference championship at Anne Arundel Community College.

Michelle Pais scored the first goal for the Bruins (14-2) on an assist from Bella Palumib. The Panthers finished 14-4.