Losing in the state semifinals can be extremely disappointing and, to an extent, it was for Centennial which fell, 11-10, to Winters Mill in the Class 2A/3A state semifinal May 16 at Annapolis High School.

But when the Eagles step back and look at the season as a whole, there are many positives that provide a balance to the sting of a season-ending defeat.

"We have to be proud of the accomplishments that we did this year. Things that people have been wanting to do for a long time," Centennial coach Katie Clark said. "We accomplished things that we've never done before, at least since I have been here."

First and foremost, Centennial beat Mt. Hebron, not once, but twice. No county team has ever done that. The second victory earned Centennial the South region title and knocked Mt. Hebron out of the state's final four for the first time since the official state tournament began in 1990. Centennial, in a different region than Mt. Hebron, made its only other state semifinal appearance in 1990.

Although the outcome was different, there were parallels between this year's regional final and the state semifinal. One team got out in front and then had to withstand a strong comeback challenge.

In the regional final, it was Mt. Hebron rallying from an 8-2 deficit, tying the score 9-9, but ultimately falling, 10-9.

Although the state semifinal was tied, 4-4, at the half, Centennial gave up five unanswered goals after the break and trailed Winters Mill, 9-4, before regrouping and bringing the score to 10-9.

During a time out in the second half, Clark said she impressed on her team to keep playing hard. She told them, "Don't give it to them. Don't give up just because you are down by a few goals."

The Eagles responded, but Winters Mill was prepared for the challenge.

"I knew they were a good team -- this is the state semifinal -- I knew they were going to come with a scoring spurt," said senior Jen Peters, who scored three goals. Katie Leech led the Falcons with four goals.

Centennial's offense was slow to get unlimbered.

"We weren't challenging at all and that is not like us not to challenge," Clark said.

With the offense struggling, Centennial's defense carried the team in the first half.

"I thought our defense played an amazing game. I am so proud of our defense," said keeper Mary Teeters. She made eight saves against Winters Mill.

The Falcons had scouted Centennial well and knew which players to key on.

"We put Jen Peters, our best defender, on Sarah Parks and Katie Leech on (center) Jenny Michael," said Winters Mill coach Courtney Vaughn.

Parks and Chloe Heckman each finished the game with two goals; Parks also had three assists.

"We played with heart. That's all we can ask for," said Teeters.

The reign comes to an end

With just over two minutes remaining to play in the regional final against Mt. Hebron, Parks scored what was ultimately the game-winning shot. It was her fourth tally of the game.

"I saw the goal was open and I drove to goal," she said.

Heckman (three), Leanne Catalano, Michael and Kelsey Norris also found the net with their shots for Centennial. Teeters finished with 13 saves, including two in the final two minutes.

Although Ashley Bruns had four goals and Jess Giles two, Mt. Hebron coach Brooke Kuhl-McClelland complained that her team's shot selection was "fair to poor."

The game's outcome proved that the Eagles' 7-5 regular season win over Mt. Hebron was not a fluke.

Centennial's victory prevented Mt. Hebron from advancing toward a possible record-setting 12th consecutive state title.

"I am content to end the season now," Kuhl-McClelland said. "I would rather end it now than get to states and be disappointed. I told the team that they had three goals this season and didn't earn one of them. ... We have learned some valuable lessons this year."

Mt. Hebron finished the season 12-5; Centennial was 14-4.

E-mail Carol Gralia at cgralia@patuxent.com.

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