It took 79 minutes until the Vikes were finally able to score, but that was all they needed to take down defending state champions, the South River Seahawks, 1-0, and advance to the state championship.

Midfielder Aliza Wolfe scored the winning goal on a penalty kick after midfielder Kristen Bissell was tripped inside the box.

Wolfe sent the kick on the ground into the lower left corner for the goal. The Seahawks goalie guessed correctly on the shot but was unable to get to the ball in time, leading to an eruption from the Viking crowd.

The game started off slowly as both teams traded possessions in the first half, with neither team having many good chances to score.

The Vikes then took over the second half and held the ball on offense for the majority of the half, but again were unable to get many solid shots on goal.

“They were really good,” Wolfe said. “Their keeper was skilled and our final balls weren’t great.”

The girls also had a few corner and direct kicks, which the team has taken advantage of this season, but weren’t able to connect on any of them.

The Seahawks best chance of victory came midway through the second half after the Vikes were called for a penalty right outside of their own box.

South River’s shot smacked right off the top crossbar and went back into the box, but the Viking defense, which had been playing well throughout the game, was able to clear the ball.

The game was physical throughout, with a Seahawk player getting called for a yellow card with only five minutes left and many questionable no-calls by the referees before finally awarding the Vikes with the game-ending PK.

Coach Greg Herbert is very excited about the win and chance to take home the state championship, but knows the team’s work is not over yet.

“This was a great win and something that some of these girls have been working towards achieving for four years,” Herbert said. “We’ve done a great job so far, but we’re not satisfied yet. We still have one more win to go.”

The Vikes will now take on the 17-1 Catonsville Comets in the state championship. The Comets came away with a commanding 5-0 win over Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders prior to the Vikes win.

The game will be played at UMBC with the time and date yet to be determined.