A lifelong resident of the community, Beardmore understood that dissension and controversy involving the previous two head coaches had poisoned the atmosphere surrounding the program.

From the first day he was hired, Beardmore took a positive and productive approach toward helping Severna Park boys lacrosse reach its oft-stated goal of winning another Class 4A-3A state championship.

In an interview with The Capital last June, Beardmore refused to even address the coaching conflict that enveloped predecessors Mike Bellotte and Brien McMurray.

"It's time to put the focus back where it belongs - on the players," Beardmore said repeatedly whenever the topic was broached.

Beardmore followed through on that philosophy and made certain the only issues surrounding Severna Park lacrosse came on the field. By preaching unselfishness and demanding conditionining, Beardmore got the Falcons over the hump after three runner-up finishes in the state finals.

"We made all that garbage from before a non-issue. I would not allow it to be discussed or even mentioned," Beardmore said. "This program needed to forget the past and move forward."

Severna Park completed a 16-4 campaign by capturing the Class 4A-3A State Championship, earning Beadmore the Capital-Gazette Newspapers' Coach of the Year award.

"This season's success was not because of anything I did... it's never about the coach," Beardmore said. "All the credit goes to the kids. They are the ones who worked hard, bought into the system and had a hunger to go out as champions."

As a former goalie, Beardmore would appeciate the qualities of leadership, presence and command that made St. Mary's senior Jason Carter the Capital-Gazette Newspapers' Player of the Year.

Carter provided steadying influence and fiery direction from his position in the cage, earning Most Valuable Player honors for a team that was ranked No. 1 in Anne Arundel County all season by The Capital.

"Jason was a unanimous MVP selection by the coaches because there was no question he was our most consistent performer and our finest leader," St. Mary's coach Matt Hogan said. "Jason did not have a bad game in goal and he was the consummate on-field general. The other players responded to Jason. He had the ability to pick up the play of the entire team."

Carter put up tremendous numbers, stopping 62 percent of shots while allowing just 5.8 goals per game. He made a whopping 180 saves to lead St. Mary's to an 11-6 record and berth in the MIAA A Conference playoffs.

"Jason singlehandedly won us games early in the season when the offense was struggling," said Hogan, who nominated Carter for the prestigious C. Markland Kelly Award.

Carter, a product of the Davidsonville Athletic Association program, was a rare two-year starter in goal for St. Mary's. He learned the intangibles of playing the position from predecessors such as Mike Fretwell (Loyola), Colin Finnegan (Navy) and Max Zarchin (Salisbury).

"I try to bring a lot of emotion to the field because I know the defense and the entire team feeds off the way the goalie is playing," Carter said.

When presenting the MVP award to Carter during the team banquet, Hogan praised the keeper for maintaining a line of communication between coaches and players. At times, it appeared Carter was another coach as he was not afraid to scold a teammate for not doing the job.

"I tell everyone before each game, 'I'm probably going to yell at you guys, but don't get down because I'm just trying to push you to play to your ability,' " Carter said. "I was also the first one to praise people for doing something good. I think leadership involves knowing when a guy needs a kick in the pants or a pat on the back."

Coincidentally, Beardmore and Carter are past and future University of Maryland goalkeepers. Beardmore, a Severn School product, was the All-American netminder of the 1987 squad that went unbeaten during the regular season. Carter would love to achieve similar results with the Terrapins, although there is a possibility he could end up as a defensive midfielder.

Maryland already has a top-notch goaltender in former United States Under-19 starter Harry Alford. Carter, a first team All-MIAA A Conference selection, is not conceding anything to Alford.

"I know Harry is a great goalie, but I'm going to go in and compete hard and see what happens," Carter said. "My first priority is to play goalie, but if that doesn't work out I'll do whatever the coaching staff wants. I just love being on the field and playing."

Carter was not afraid to come out of the cage and carry the ball downfield this season - a style Beardmore made famous during his playing days. That daring yet sometimes reckless attitude that led Beardmore to make full-field runs for Maryland served him well when walking into the hornet's nest that was Severna Park lacrosse.

"I knew the only way I would be viewed as a success was to get the team back to the state finals and win," he said. "I felt I was up to the challenge. I was confident I could put these players in the frame of mind necessary to become champions."

Confidence has never been a problem for Beardmore, a unique individual to say the least. Out on the field at George Roberts Stadium, there was no question who was in charge.

"My first order of business was to establish some discipline and order," Beardmore said. "I believe these kids were starving for a heavy dose of both."

There were some bumps in the road along the way. Severna Park was defeated soundly by neighborhood rival Severn School, got blown out by MIAA A Conference power McDonogh and lost by a goal to County League favorite Broadneck.

Beardmore, who possesses a short fuse and intense demeanor, ripped the team for playing selfish and stupid against Broadneck.

"I definitely went ballistic, I yelled at everyone and anyone," said Beardmore, admitting he even snapped at assistant coach Bobby Zichelli's 5-year-old twins. "Our kids needed to understand that intelligence and unselfishness are the keys to success."

In time, Beardmore's message about making the extra pass and doing the little things that win games got through. Severna Park blew out Broadneck in the county championship game rematch then manhandled South River in the Class 4A-3A East Region final.

Severna Park had to dig deep in the state tournament - going double-overtime to upset four-time defending champion Dulaney in the semis then using a strong third-quarter surge to pull away from upstart Westminster in the finals.

Assistant coach Buddy Beardmore, a National Lacrosse Foundation and Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Famer, suggested halftime adjustments that proved crucial to both victories.

The elder Beardmore, who won an NCAA Division I national championship at Maryland, is a coaching legend who served as a tremendous sounding board for his son.

"Bud is a proven offensive genius. He knows the game inside and out, his credentials are second to none," Jim Beardmore said.

Beardmore was impressed by the respect the Severna Park players showed his father, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease that often causes uncontrollable shaking.

"None of these kids were even alive when my father was dominating Division I, so to see them listening carefully and accepting his instruction was very rewarding," Beardmore said. "I've always said that Severna Park has good kids and smart players on its lacrosse team. That showed through this season."

Capital-Gazette Newspapers' All-County

Boys Lacrosse Second Team

Jason Mihm, Sr., A, Annapolis

Kevin Crumrine, Sr., A, Severn

Christian Pastirik, Jr., A, St. Mary's

Bobby Hantske, Jr., A, Southern

Trevor McCulloch-Faber, Jr., A, Key

Chris Wolf, Sr., A, South River

Frank Taglienti, So., A, Severna Park

Brooks Korvin, Jr., A-M, Arundel

Jack Rosson, Sr., M, Severn

C.J. Twombly, Sr., M, Northeast

Casey O'Connor, Jr., M, Spalding

Ryan Brassel, Sr., M, Severn

Alex Hoppman, Jr., M, Annapolis

Davey Joe Ruppert, Jr., M, Severna Park

Kyle Bloomfield, Sr., M, Broadneck

Grant Krebs, So., M, St. Mary's

Zach Clark, Sr., D, Chesapeake

Matt Cornell, Sr., D, Spalding

Jason Wasserman, Sr., D, Severn

Andrew Thorp, Sr., D, St. Mary's

Mark Phelan, Sr., D, Broadneck

Mike Evans, Jr., D, South River

Sean Kostkowski, Jr., D, Severna Park

Mike Gvozden, So., GK, Severna Park

Matt Antonelli, Jr., GK, Spalding

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Published June 06, 2004, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2004 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.