Four was the magic number for the fourth-ranked St. Joseph’s field hockey team, which beat Massachusetts, 2-1, to secure its fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 championship. No strangers to each other, the Hawks and the Minutewomen have faced off six times since 2022.

When Crofton field hockey shut out Broadneck in the Class 4A state semifinals last fall, all agreed that was the true championship game. Little did they know that not only would they get their dream matchup one year later, they’d finish with the same score.

When Crofton goalie Ryleigh Osborne’s name was called to receive a state championship medal, the crowd lingering in the bleachers of Stevenson University erupted in cheers. Students and parents knew the impact she had made,