SCORPIONS’ STING

Bram Wilson came off of the bench to lift Oakland Mills to a 1-0 victory at Howard County rival Atholton.

by Lem Satterfield

Oakland Mills coach Brett Cutler received a pleasant surprise when Bram Wilson was forced into a starting role as a result of injuries to other players.

The junior midfielder scored the only goal the Scorpions would need in Thursday night’s 1-0 victory at Howard County League rival Atholton.

“I’d have to say that was the surprise of the night,” said Cutler, whose defense made the first-half goal stand up against surprising pressure from the Raiders (1-8-1).

Cutler also credited junior goalie Josh Yarn for making seven saves, and defender, Freddy Pina, for making one each in diving kick saves during each half.

“Freddy cleared the ball right off the line both times,” Cutler said.

The Scorpions were coming off of Tuesday’s 3-1 victory at Glenelg, during which sophomore Kevin Sullivan scored twice, and senior Cory Marcon scored his team-leading eighth goal to go with four assists.

Also contributing against Glenelg were senior Joe Millar, junior David Jannati, and sophomore Ben Caffey with assists.

In last Thursday’s 1-0 shutout of Mount Hebron, Sullivan was assisted by senior Jared Yarn as the Scorpions defeated a team that is the defending county, region and Class 3A state champion.

Prior to the Mount Hebron game, the Scorpions had lost, 3-2, in overtime to Mariotts’ Ridge, after blowing seperate leads of 1-0,and, 2-1.

Oakland Mills now has victories over co-Class 4A state champion, Thomas Johnson of Frederick County, and defending 2A state champion, Hammond, its county neighbor.

At 7-1 in the county, the Scorpions (9-3 overall) are in the mix for the lead atop the league standings.

On Tuesday, River Hill improved to 6-1 in the league, and 7-4 overall, with a 2-1 victory over Atholton (1-8-1).

Also on Tuesday, Reservoir (3-2-2, 5-2-2) scored a 2-0 shutout over previously unbeaten Marriotts Ridge.

River Hill and Marriotts Ridge (6-1-1 league) meet on Friday night. On Tuesday, River Hill meets Reservoir, which is 3-0-1 in its past four county games.

The Reservoir Gators may be playing their best ball, having yielded only four goals in seven county
contests.