Ninth-ranked Severn School used a smothering defense and a proficient offensive game plan to beat St. Mary’s, 3-0, in the MIAA B Conference boys soccer final at UMBC Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The victory marks the second straight MIAA crown for the Admirals, who finished a perfect season at 17-0. Severn returned nine starters from last year’s championship squad.

Admirals coach Mike McCarthy gave all the credit to his players.

“We are blessed to have a team that has a really good attacking mindset,” said McCarthy, who claimed his fifth B title Sunday. “Our game plan was to keep the ball the ball wide, wide, wide. We were very successful doing that. First goal – wide, cross in and goal.”

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That first goal was scored by senior forward Davis Cawlfield, off a nifty crossing pass from junior forward Andrew Beard.

“The game plan coming in was get behind their back line, get in deep, and find positions to get good crosses in. He (Beard) was able to cross it in, and I was able to get there and put it in the back of the net.”

Davis Cawfield (left) scored the opening goal of the game, and Andrew Beard had the assist to start Severn's afternoon. The Admirals won their second straight MIAA B Conference soccer title with a 3-0 decision over St. Mary's at UMBC Stadium. (Dave Larkin)

Sophomore Nick Melfi scored the Admirals’ second goal when he gathered in a loose ball and punched it in to give Severn a 2-0 lead with 6:15 left in the first half. Senior midfielder Cole Keefer scored the final goal, off another crossing pass with 27:04 left in the game.

Cawlfield reflected on his game winning goal and the undefeated season.

“It’s definitely an awesome feeling. It’s everything we’ve been working for since August 15. We just came together and had a really great year.”

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St. Mary’s coach Corey Childs was pleased with his team’s effort and looks forward to a better outcome in the future.

“Hopefully we can take this experience and build on it for next year,” said Childs. “We’ll keep fighting. We’ll learn from it. We have eight sophomores on the varsity team this year. Six of them were on the varsity team last year. We’re excited about those guys, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of Saints soccer.”

MIAA B CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

at UMBC

NO. 9 SEVERN 3, ST. MARY’S 0

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St. Mary’s 0 0 - 0

Severn 2 1 - 3

Goals: Severn - Davis Cawlfield, Nick Melfi, Cole Keefer

Assists: Severn - Andrew Beard, Ammar Yusuf, Frederick Reed

Saves: St. Mary’s - Erik Chick 6; Severn - Will Hudson 2, Bryce Feldmaier 1