Just when it looked like Reservoir would move a step ahead of River Hill in the county standings, the Gators suffered the same fate as the Hawks.

Both teams remain unbeaten, but both now have a tie in their records.

The Gators, who have never been in first place this late into the season in their six-year varsity history, beat Marriotts Ridge, 2-1, and then tied Centennial, 0-0, in double overtime on Oct. 7. Reservoir got some help from Atholton, which tied River Hill, 2-2, also in double overtime.

Reservoir (5-0-1) won a total of six games the two previous seasons, while defending county champion River Hill (6-0-1) has not lost a county match up in at least two years. They will meet Tuesday, Oct. 14 and may meet again Oct. 21 in the county championship game. The top two teams, based on records, play for the title.

"This will keep things interesting," said Reservoir coach Josh Sullivan following the Centennial game. "Centennial played great. Honestly, it was a pretty evenly played match."

The contest was between two teams with different styles. Centennial prefers a control game; Reservoir wants to use its speed, pushing the pace and seeing what it can create.

Ultimately, the game came down to what each team has in common -- solid goalkeeping. Marissa Dearden had six saves for Reservoir and Erica Albornoz had 10 for Centennial.

Reservoir edged Marriotts Ridge, 2-1, last week when Kelsey Reiff scored with one minute left in the game. Lindsey McKeown got her sixth assist on Reiff's 12th goal of the season.

"Marriotts Ridge's goalkeeper (Samantha Olson) made several outstanding saves to keep them in the game. ... I don't think she could have played any better," Sullivan said.

Dearden had three saves for Reservoir and Olson had eight.

A controversial call late in regulation put a blemish on the Atholton-River Hill game. Atholton held a 2-1 lead at the half on goals by Lizzy Parr and Julie Nicholson.

River Hill's tying goal came with less than a minute to play. Atholton got a free kick in River Hill territory but got a yellow card for delay of game. The officials then awarded River Hill the ball.

Becky Perrault took the free kick for River Hill but Atholton kicked the ball out of bounds about 30 yards out. Amy Song threw the ball in. Kathryn Rodgers settled the ball, and passed to Amy Tricoli, who found Anna Kim for the goal.

Atholton fans believed the Raiders should have retained possession of the ball on the delay of game.

The officials "didn't give me any options. I tried to ask questions" about the change in possession, Atholton coach Stephanie Stoutenborough said. "We knew as a team we should have won this game. It's unfortunate that (the outcome was determined) not by how we played but how the officials called the game."

"The first half was dominated by Atholton," River Hill coach Brian Song said. "Atholton played very well and probably deserved to win."

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