BERLIN, MD — For much of Saturday afternoon, it felt like only a matter of time before Stephen Decatur would find the back of the net.

The Seahawks spent long stretches controlling play in their MPSSAA 3A East II semifinal matchup against James M. Bennett, keeping the pressure on from the opening whistle and forcing the Clippers to spend much of the match defending their end of the field. But despite the steady attack, Bennett made the most of its opportunities and left Stephen Decatur High School with a 1-0 victory and a berth in the regional championship.

Decatur came out aggressively, pushing forward throughout the opening minutes and generating several scoring chances. The Seahawks controlled possession and repeatedly tested the Bennett defense, but the breakthrough never came.

Instead, it was the Clippers who struck first.

On one of Bennett’s early trips into the attacking third, Evan Perunko (9) found Manuel Zelaya (19) near the goal. Zelaya finished the opportunity to put the visitors in front 1-0 despite a diving effort from Seahawks goalkeeper Adrian Jasinski-Elbaz (0).

The goal changed the scoreboard, but not the flow of the game.

Stephen Decatur continued to press forward for the remainder of the half, looking for an equalizer before the break. Each time the Seahawks threatened, however, Bennett goalkeeper Samuel Wilhite (1) and the Clippers defense came up with the answer, preserving the one-goal advantage through halftime.

The second half brought more of the same.

Much of the action remained in Bennett territory as the Seahawks searched for the tying goal. Wave after wave of attacks kept the Clippers on their heels, but Bennett continued to find ways to clear danger and maintain its slim lead.

When the Clippers were able to push forward, they looked to add an insurance goal, but Jasinski-Elbaz kept Decatur within striking distance with several key stops. The Seahawks continued to battle until the final whistle, but the equalizer never arrived.

When time expired, Bennett’s lone goal proved enough.

The Clippers advance to the MPSSAA 3A East II Regional Championship, where they will face the top-seeded Falcons at Severna Park High School on Tuesday or Wednesday with a trip to the state quarter finals on the line.