Glenelg field hockey coach Martie Dyer kept a couple of reliable penalty stroke takers in mind throughout the whole season, just in case the moment came. Manchester Valley, which bested the Gladiators in last year’s Maryland Class 2A championship, tied this year’s final on a stroke late in the third quarter. In overtime, Glenelg was awarded a stroke of its own. All of Dyer’s planning went out the window.
“We said to the girls, ‘Whoever feels it is going to take it,’” Dyer said. “And Lakshmi [Almli] turned to all the girls and said, ‘I’ve got this.’ And she did.”
Almli, whom Dyer called “very calm, cool, collected,” lined up at the stroke dot and lifted the ball into the left side of the cage. She dropped her stick and jumped up and down as her teammates swarmed her.
“It was the cutest video I’ve ever seen,” Dyer said later.
The championship win marked a return to form for the Gladiators, who won three straight titles from 2021 to 2023. The program’s future is bright: Almli, a sophomore, posted 32 goals and 12 assists this season, and all of Dyer’s starting forwards will return next year. For now, the Gladiators finish in the top five of The Post’s final field hockey rankings, surrounded by a crowd of fellow champions.
1. Leonardtown (19-1)
Senior midfielder Lily Mitchell scored 31 goals this season to lead her team to its first state championship in 31 years. The Raiders’ only loss came against New Jersey champion Clearview. Last ranked: 7
2. Langley (22-1)
Senior goalkeeper Mia Laws posted 13 shutouts this fall, including one in the Virginia Class 6 title game. LR: Not ranked
3. Glenelg (16-2)
After falling in last year’s Maryland 2A final, the Gladiators got back to their winning ways and added their fourth state title since 2021. LR: 4
4. Bishop O’Connell (16-6-1)
O’Connell toppled powerhouse St. John’s in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference final. Sophomore duo Lena Sullivan and Ysens Mason led the team in goals and assists, respectively. LR: NR
5. Oakton (20-1)
The Cougars posted a strong season, including three wins over Virginia Class 6 runner-up Madison, but ran into eventual champion Langley in the region semifinal. LR: 1
6. Severna Park (14-3)
The Falcons largely dominated competition but lost to Leonardtown in the Maryland 4A final. Sophomore Sofi Weber scored Severna Park’s lone goal in the title game. LR: NR
7. Madison (20-5)
The Warhawks, led by junior Reagan George and senior Teagan Hastings in scoring this season, lost to Langley in the Virginia Class 6 final. LR: 2
8. St. John’s (13-2)
The Cadets’ run of four straight WCAC championships ended this year against O’Connell. LR: 6
9. Stone Ridge (11-5-1)
The Gators recovered from an early-season slide to win the Independent School League title on their home turf. LR: NR
10. Loudoun Valley (18-4)
The Vikings came up short against Gloucester in the Virginia Class 4 final. Junior goalkeeper Kyra Ferrara was named the Virginia Region 4D player of the year. LR: 9
Dropped out: No. 3 Independence, No. 7 St. Mary’s (Annapolis), No. 8 Yorktown, No. 10 Broadneck
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