Marriotts Ridge senior goaltender Kaelyn Krozy goes through the same routine anytime an opponent sets up for an 8-meter opportunity. In her mental preparation, she says to herself, “See it, set, shot.”
Krozy has established that routine for several years. She adopted it from former University of Maryland goalie Emily Sterling, with whom she trained.
That mentality delivered in a signature performance for Krozy as she made 10 saves, several of which came on 8-meters in Wednesday night’s Class 3A South Region I quarterfinal against Mt. Hebron.
The third-seeded Mustangs smothered the No. 6 seed Vikings defensively for 48 minutes and closed out an 8-2 win to advance to the regional semifinals. The Mustangs will travel to No. 2 Long Reach, an 11-5 winner over Old Mill in another quarterfinal Wednesday, for a semifinal at a day and time to be announced.
“Kaelyn is just so stoic, fierce and fearless,” Marriotts Ridge coach Amanda Brady said. “I just think in a lot of ways, she wants to do the job for her team. She got it done tonight really well. She has this stoic personality that she’s the goalie and she’s going to make the save. It’s fun to watch her in her element.”
Prior to Wednesday, Marriotts Ridge’s last game was a week ago. The Mustangs lost to River Hill, 11-10, in a back-and-forth battle for just their second county loss of the season. However, that game proved to be a valuable reset for the Mustangs entering the postseason.
Monday and Tuesday’s practices focused on highlighting the little things and preaching valuing possessions. Mainly, Brady just wanted her girls to get back to having fun and recognize how enjoyable May lacrosse can be.
A fierce rivalry game with a playoff matchup for a third straight season, Mt. Hebron struck first. Kaitlyn Magdar scored 96 seconds into the game in transition. However, she didn’t generate much offense the rest of the way.
A lethal offensive threat at her best when dodging downhill, Marriotts Ridge face-guarded her with a host of different defenders. The Mustangs (10-4-1) executed flawlessly defensively and held Mt. Hebron scoreless from Magdar’s initial goal until midway through the third. Marriotts Ridge did a good job of denying cutters and Krozy was there to shut the door anytime an uncontested shot opened up.
Marriotts Ridge scored five straight goals while Mt. Hebron was kept off the scoreboard. Freshman Hayden Baumgartner scored two of her team-high three goals over that stretch. Baumgartner made her impact felt along with fellow freshman Maddy Machiran in their first career postseason game. Machiran was excellent on the draw throughout for the Mustangs, helping them earn possessions they didn’t give up easily.
“We definitely do take pride in performing really well,” Baumgartner said. “It definitely is a pretty big deal to be a freshman on this field and that we have to almost keep up with the upperclassmen. We have big expectations, but I just really think that working together has made it so much easier. Our upperclassmen supporting and uplifting us, it just makes it so much easier to be able to talk and play with them.”
While those younger players flourished, Baumgartner admitted that there was more stress and tense feelings in a playoff game. Yet, Baumgartner and the other young players rose above those emotions and rallied around those them.
Throughout the season, Brady split halves between Krozy and her younger sister, Shannen, a freshman. In a high-magnitude moment, Brady diverted from that typical plan and rolled with the older Krozy for all 48 minutes. Her veteran presence and experience playing in numerous postseason games was a key factor in that decision.
As Mt. Hebron (5-10) tried to climb its way out of a second-half deficit, Krozy was their time and time again. She consistently limited shooting angles and elevated her game when the pressure was at its highest in the second half.
Feeding off Krozy’s strong play, Marriotts Ridge shut the door in the final 12 minutes. Allison Custer and Baumgartner scored in the fourth to close out a complete 48-minute effort, as Marriotts Ridge looks to continue its tradition of a program that’s synonymous with deep postseason runs.
“I was just staying in the present,” Krozy said. “Just thinking, next one and not getting complacent. Even if I make the save or not, just next one. These games are so fun. I look forward to it.”
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MR- 3 1 2 2- 8
MH- 1 0 1 0- 2
Goals: Hayden Baumgartner 3, Jenna Cratin 2, Katie Leader, Allison Custer, Sedona Kaplan; MH: Kaitlyn Magdar.
Assists: MR: Sophia McGinnis 2.
Saves: MR: Kaelyn Krozy 10; MH: Emily Canseven 7.