Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-2703 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Hoops Squad and Soccer Team finishes Strong Season
VARSITY BASKETBALL
St. Margaret's 1998-99 varsity basketball team enjoyed a successful season despite falling short of its ultimate goal of winning the League of Independent Schools (L.I.S.) Conference tournament.
Sara Newman made 1 of 2 free throws in overtime and led the team with nine points to lift second-ranked SMS over Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot 38 - 37 in the L.I.S. tournament semifinals played in Tappahannock on Wednesday, February 17th.
Junior forward Cameron Sgroi sank two key free throws in the final seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. Garnett Ashworth added eight points.
The championship game on Friday showcased the "underdog" Scotties against a strong and physical top-ranked Trinity squad. "Trinity has been a strong team all season. You hate to second guess your chances in a game like this, but we knew it was going to be a tall order," acknowledged Head Coach Sue Saunders.
Saunders, in an effort to provide a little incentive, agreed to dye her hair any color of the team's choosing should SMS upset the top-ranked Titans (hot pink was rumored to have been the color had SMS won). Despite trailing only one point at halftime 20 - 21, SMS finished with a sub par second half that gave the game away to the Titans. Trinity's stingy defense allowed one third quarter point and seven total second half points, as SMS fell well short of the upset with a 27 - 52 loss.
The Scotties finished the season 9 - 7 overall; 7 - 3 in L.I.S. Conference play. Melissa Mancuso and Australian exchange student Adrienne Richards were named to the 1998-99 L.I.S. Division II All-Star Team.
VARSITY SOCCER
Since losing the season opener to non-conference opponent Covenant School, St. Margaret's 1998-99 varsity soccer team ran the tables on its competition to go undefeated ever since.
With the L.I.S. regular-season title, as the only undefeated team in the league, the Scotties held the number-one ranking heading into the L.I.S. Conference tournament. SMS hosted Virginia Episcopal in the tournament semifinals on Wednesday afternoon, February 17th. Senior tri-captain Elizabeth Sadler scored a goal late in the second half which gave SMS a 1 - 0 win.
Friday's championship game pitted the top-ranked Scotties against third-ranked St. Catherine's. The game remained scoreless at the end of regulation and the first overtime period.
SMS players, Lauren Steininger, Elizabeth Sadler, Carol Combs, Roz Rogers, and Britt Faulkner were chosen to take shots in a double overtime penalty kick shootout. Steininger gave SMS the early 1 - 0 advantage; Sadler and Rogers each scored to put SMS on top 3 - 0 in the shootout. Cynthia Walker helped seal the double overtime victory with a brilliant defensive performance in goal, as she shut out the Saints' penalty kick attempts.
"The whole season ending culminated in such a dramatic fashion…with the double overtime shootout. St. Catherine's played us really tough, but you have to credit our girls for hanging in there and earning themselves the win. Mr. Duncan and I really enjoyed coaching this year's team-a terrific group of girls. Its been a great season…they deserved every minute of it," said Head Coach Karen McCann following the game.
The win capped a superb season for the Scotties, who finished 9 - 1 - 3 overall; 7 - 0 - 3 in L.I.S. Conference play. Britt Faulkner, Kim Houck, and Elizabeth Sadler were named to the L.I.S. Division II All-Star Team.