Stephen Decatur Wins First-Ever State Lacrosse Title

Stephen Decatur High School's boys lacrosse team just did something no Seahawks team has ever done before: brought home a Maryland state championship trophy.

The Berlin school defeated Kent Island 8-4 on May 19 in the MPSSAA Class 2A State Title Game at Stevenson University. This wasn't just any win—it was revenge against the very team that beat them in last year's championship game.

The Seahawks came out strong, with John Fohner and Emmitt Mills scoring in the first quarter for a 2-0 lead. Kent Island fought back to tie things up, but Trey Strickler kept Decatur ahead. By halftime, the score stood at 3-2, and everyone watching remembered how close last year's heartbreaking loss had been.

But the second half told a completely different story. Jack Paxton and Fohner scored back-to-back goals in the third quarter, pushing Decatur's lead to three. When Kent Island scored again, Brody Lynch immediately answered right after the faceoff, extending the lead to 6-3.

The fourth quarter sealed the deal. Ashton March stunned the crowd with a behind-the-back goal that showcased the team's confidence. Fohner then completed his hat trick, his third goal of the game, putting the championship out of reach.

The Ripple Effect

This victory meant even more because of what came before it. Decatur had lost to Kent Island three times this season: in their regular matchup, in the Bayside Conference Championship Game, and in last year's state final. Each loss taught them something, building the resilience they needed for this moment.

The championship represents years of work by players, coaches, and a community that never stopped believing. Berlin, Maryland now has its first boys lacrosse state title in school history, a moment that current students will tell their children about decades from now.

When the final whistle blew, the Seahawks proved that persistence beats disappointment every time.