On October 29, the Centennial varsity boys’ soccer team traveled to Glenelg High School for the playoff game that would determine the rest of their season. The game held high stakes; either the Eagles’ season would end, or they’d capture the regional championship and advance to the state quarter-finals.
Coming into this season, the team was eager for success. In 2022, they made it all the way to the state finals, where they ultimately lost to Tuscarora High School. Last season, however, they were knocked out during the first round of playoffs by Wilde Lake High School, which only fueled their desire for a redemption this year.
“Centennial soccer has been a successful program in terms of trophies recently, but last year was disappointing with a .500 winning percentage and a first-round exit. So going into this year we wanted to set the program back on the right path by winning,” Captain Noah Kantsiper, a senior on the team, shared.
Despite the disappointing end last season, the players knew they had the potential and abilities for a strong comeback.
“I knew that this was going to be a solid group of guys not only on the field but off the field as well so I was looking forward to a solid season,” junior Calvin Lee expressed.
Needless to say, the team was quick to begin working toward long-term goals. Even as they struggled with uncontrollable factors such as injuries and bad luck, they were able to persist when it mattered most. “We were a young team this year,” said Lee, “we had to learn a lot of responsibility, but that really helped us in the long run.”
As the Eagles wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 8-1-3, they dove into the playoffs sweeping Southern High School 2-0, and advancing into the semi-finals against Wilde Lake, fighting to win by a singular goal during overtime. The Eagles secured the win with a thrilling 3-2 score.
“We felt confident beating the county champions in Wilde Lake the round before that we couldn’t beat the ‘big teams’ in the county,” Kantsiper said.
The momentum from the overtime win carried into their next practices spent preparing for one of the biggest games the team had faced all season. They were scheduled to play the undefeated Glenelg Gladiators, and the Eagles knew that if they wanted the regional championship title, they had to devise a plan.
Drew Wilschke, a Junior on the team, believed that there was an advantage to being the underdogs. “We knew that [Glenelg] had a lot more to prove than us because they were the undefeated team. It was their stadium, so all we had to do was go out there and play our own game.”
While the boys were already motivated by the idea of winning against such a difficult team, a lot of credit is also due to the team spirit they shared. Centennial Assistant Coach Will Funk-Heiser felt as though there was a lot of strength that came from the ability to lean on each other. With such support from each other and their coaches, the Eagles were even more connected on the field.
Funk-Heiser explained, “We have a really phenomenal [team] culture …., and I put that at the feet of coach Thomas, and I put it at the feet of the boys on the team.” Kantisper said. “It may sound corny, but it really was our togetherness and teamwork which led to us overcoming one of the hardest runs to regional champs in the state.”
The team atmosphere played a crucial role in their success, not only throughout the regular season but also during and leading up to such an intense game.
Right from the start, the Eagles came out strong. Just five minutes into the game, Junior midfielder Ian Radtke fired a powerful shot, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead. They continued to fight hard to maintain that advantage, and it eventually paid off. Center back Lee Godschall launched a long ball, switching the field to Wilschke, who expertly carried it down the pitch. Protecting the ball at all costs, Wilschke crossed it to Kantsiper who positioned strategically in the center of the box, before taking on the goalkeeper one on one, finishing his touch with a powerful strike to end the half with a 2-0 lead.
As the second half began, the stadium was buzzing with both excitement and tension. Despite the 2-0 lead, the Eagles remained wary of the Gladiators’ potential, and their caution proved wise as the Gladiators came out aggressively, pushing the Eagles into a defensive battle. Fortunately, the Eagles stood firm, capitalizing on every offensive opportunity, which eventually awarded them a penalty kick during the final minutes of the game. Godschall stepped up to take it, and with a powerful strike, the ball slammed into the back of the net, bringing the score to 3-0. Seconds later, the final whistle blew across Glenelg’s stadium, the scoreboard glowing in favor of the Eagles. It was official: Centennial had reclaimed their title as Maryland 2A region champions.
Fans cheered as the boys rushed the field, and everyone – spectators, coaches, and players alike, could feel the adrenaline pumping. Lee shared, “I was super ecstatic; it’s something I’ll hold onto forever.”
Reflecting on the Eagles’ efforts, Kantsiper added, “I’m extremely proud of this team, especially after seeing the progress players have made over the course of the year.”
The win was the result of relentless hours spent practicing, discipline from coaches and players, and the support that came from within and outside the team. Coach Funk-Heiser expressed his pride in the team, describing how it was truly satisfying to see how the work every player put into being the best they could be, made an impact on their accomplishments.
However, it was the looks of joy and the smiles on the players’ faces that mattered most to him. “One thing Coach Thomas said that really resonated with me after [the game] was that the trophy for us, for the coaches, for the adults, is [the players] and their reactions. That’s something I will never forget. I’m so happy for them, and I’m so proud of them.”
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