BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Severna Park seniors Julie Gardner and Allison Behringer grew up together, played lacrosse together and were recruited by the same Division I schools together.

And with the way they are playing, they could very easily accomplish another feat together: win a second straight Class 4A/3A state title.

“We have been playing together since we were young,” Behringer said. “We are always together in preseason, shootaround, running to get in shape and we kind of do everything together.”

And that’s the way Gardner likes it.

“We have been together forever,” she said. “I consider [Behringer] my best friend and it’s great to play with her throughout elementary, middle and high school.”

But as good as Gardner, who had 50 goals and 15 assists last season, and Behringer, who also is an All-Examiner selection as a field hockey player, have been, the midfielders are buoyed by a team that is becoming closer each week.

Gardner jokingly described it as “mixing and mingling,” but Coach Carin Peterson said the growth has been paramount to the team’s success. On bus rides to away games, the seniors can’t sit in the back of the bus or beside each other, as they must interact with younger teammates. The same goes for pregame warmups and practices: no cliques.

When it comes time to carry in water jugs or equipment after the game, grade or status as a starter are moot.

Peterson’s philosophy certainly has worked. The top-ranked Falcons (13-0 overall, 10-0 Anne Arundel County) have steamrolled the competition. The Falcons, led by 12 seniors who will play at a Division I or II school next spring, have defeated fourth-ranked Severn, 14-8, fifth-ranked Broadneck, 18-9, and St. Mary’s, 14-4.

“It’s hard to stop a team, but easy to stop an individual,” Peterson said. “As long as they continue to do what they are doing, they will do very well.”

But it hasn’t been easy trying to duplicate last season’s 20-0 record. Behringer, who will play for Princeton next spring, said getting the team focused for each game is her job as a team captain.

Gardner, who is committed to Virginia, agreed that sometimes in games against lesser teams that can be difficult, but the Falcons looked totally focused in a 22-0 win at Old Mill (2-8) on Tuesday.

“They stay late and they work hard,” Peterson said. “It’s always 100 percent, and they work on their weakness and it’s hard to find a weakness in them. They can play right-handed, they can play left-handed, they can play offense, they can play defense and it’s because they work at it.”

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

5:39 PM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Bluebirds hope to make their opponents see red"

Examiner Reader said:
the last comment should sat "they'd be 1-13" not 1-0

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5:37 PM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Bluebirds hope to make their opponents see red"

Examiner Reader said:
In Division 1A they wouldn't have lasted 2 games they'd be 1-0 with that 1 being another out of division lower class team,patapsco. None the less that Mat Dybala is a hell of a lacrosse player as well as there defenseman Joshua Martin also a hell of a player mid feild is disabled there but joshua and mat make up for it they had a really good defenseman last year and the year before but i don't know what happened to him he should be a senior, but oh well. Good luck to the blue birds and hope they get through the season with the State Title.

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1:15 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Falcons soaring toward second straight state title"

Examiner Reader said:
This article is bologna. I think many of the other seniors that have played with these girls are equally good if not better.

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9:21 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008 re: "Carey, Ancarrow power John Carroll to the top"

Examiner Reader said:
The entire JC team is to be commended on a fabulous season! 15-0! Good luck in the playoffs, girls!

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9:27 PM MST on Thu., May. 17, 2007 re: "Comfortable in transition game"

Examiner Reader said:
Kristen Coleman rocks, what a powerhouse! Good luck at Fairfield next year kristen!

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5:41 PM MST on Wed., May. 16, 2007 re: "An affair to remember"

Examiner Reader said:
What an awesome team ! What a year to remember! What incredible young men ! We are so proud of all of you and all your hard work and effort during such a fantastic season. Thanks for the memories you are all to be commended.

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5:28 PM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "The feel good hit of the season"

Examiner Reader said:
The Holy Cross team is amazing. They kept up a great attitude and never let down. They were even a man down in the first overtime and still scored.

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8:08 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "The feel good hit of the season"

Examiner Reader said:
Holy Cross had an amazing turnaround season. Coach Decker took this team to new levels. This shows what Holy Cross girls can do! These girls are amazing on and off the field. Nothing can beat the Holy Cross spirit!

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6:31 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "The feel good hit of the season"

Examiner Reader said:
WOW - What a Championship game!! Holy Cross coaches and players deserve a ton of credit for a complete turnaround from 4-11 2006 season to a 18-2 season 2007 season!

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7:19 AM MST on Sun., May. 6, 2007 re: "Dulaney-Towson: The big one"

Examiner Reader said:
What about the girls?

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12:11 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 26, 2007 re: "Lions roaring at 6-0"

Examiner Reader said:
how about some credit for the RPCS defense they were outshot 28 to 12 iin the game and still almost won.

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11:40 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 23, 2007 re: "Comfortable in transition game"

Examiner Reader said:
Great article. How about an article on the Good Counsel boy's goalie, Sean McKenna. Four year starter and two year captain. Led defense and GC to 15-4 record last season (best in team history). Will play at Division I Quinnipiac University next season. Led Falcons defense to first win over Dematha Catholic this past weekend. Would be a great story. Thanks.

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8:09 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 23, 2007 re: "Puttin� on the ritz"

Janet Herdegen said:
Please extend to Bryan Mann my compliments on his write-up about Curley's lacrosse team and hopes for the dream. I really liked his style and the way it was written. Classy title with a classy ending. And thanks to Chris Ammann for the nice picture of my son and also the coach. Thanks.

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