Long Reach field hockey doesn’t hide from the program’s past struggles. In fact, they’re openly discussed.
That recognition creates a heightened awareness and appreciation for just how far it’s come. From 2010 to 2020, Long Reach finished .500 or better just twice. Three years ago, the Lightning’s current class of seniors won just three games. 2022 wasn’t much better as Long Reach finished 4-8-1.
Last year, they showed vast improvement finishing as Howard County co-champions and regional finalists. However, this year’s group has surged to new heights.
Friday night, the No. 2 seed Lightning edged No. 7 Dulaney, 1-0, advancing to the Class 3A state semifinals for the first time in 24 years. Long Reach (12-3) will face No. 3 Severna Park at a time and date to be announced.
“It’s honestly really emotional,” senior defender Delaney Daffan said. “We all talk about it all the time how terrible we were and now we’re in the state semifinals, which is insane. Sometimes I tear up about it. I’m really proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished together.”
Long Reach’s ascension as a program can be attributed to the growth of the current seniors, but also new additions. Junior Sam Legge and sophomore Leilani Stewart joined the Lightning last year and instantly made an impact. Legge transitioned seamlessly after playing her freshman year at Howard and Stewart quickly acclimated to the varsity level.
“It was a smooth and fun process,” Legge said. “Everyone here has always been very welcoming. Everyone has been great. We’ve gotten to build as a team and work together. We’ve built a lot of trust and that’s helped us go really far in the playoffs.”
The dynamic midfield tandem has spearheaded the Lightning attack throughout the season. Their connection is emblematic of the Lightning’s collective trust in one another. That belief played a direct role in the game’s lone goal. Midway through the first quarter, Legge surged forward through a gap in the Lions’ defense.
She fired a shot on net that slid past Dulaney goalie Maddie Feldhiem.
After Long Reach took the lead, Dulaney brought persistent offensive pressure. The Lions (8-7) had nine penalty corners in the first half. However, they were unable to convert as Lightning goalie Hollow Jay ushered several shots away with kick saves to preserve the one-goal lead.
Long Reach’s defense tightened in the third as the Lions managed just one penalty corner and one shot on goal. During a timeout in the fourth quarter, Lightning coach Stephanie De Wit encouraged her team to close the game out with intensity.
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Despite never playing on a stage of that magnitude before, Long Reach remained composed down the stretch. The Lightning cleared away a trio of penalty corners inside of five minutes as they inched closer to the state semifinals.
Long Reach’s crowd began counting down the final seconds as Legge fittingly salted away the clock. Simultaneously, Jay jumped up and down in net, raising her arms and soaking in the moment. She hugged nearby defenders after the final whistle as Long Reach continued to put the program’s past struggles in the rearview mirror.
“It’s very gratifying,” De Wit said. “I started as a consultant their freshman year. So, the seniors now, I’ve been with all four years and one of them is my daughter. There is a lot of pride as a coach, but also as a mother and a fan of the team. I just hope that we can continue.”
Jay added: “I’m most excited to stay as a group and not have to end this season. Even though we’re so far into the season, I’m going to miss a bunch of people. We have so many seniors. It’s going to be really sad when we’re finally done with the season and it’s all over. It will be emotional.”
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