Centennial girls lacrosse head coach Bethany Cunha has a clear explanation for her team’s success this postseason. “They just want it more than other teams. Plain and simple.” 

In a state semifinal matchup where they should have been the underdog against number one seeded Stephen Decatur High School, the Eagles played like the favorites. Coming off of a dominant 18-2 victory against C.Milton Wright High School in the quarterfinal matchup, the Eagles were ready to take the next step in the biggest game of their season. The stakes were high, and the Eagles had the opportunity to make their first state championship in school history.

“When it comes to being the underdog, I think they play better when we’re the underdog. They feel like they have nothing to prove, and they did go out and have fun,” Cunha said.

Caroline Cudzilo showed no signs of shying away from the moment, embracing the underdog mentality. Cudzilo wasted no time, delivered a goal in the first three minutes of the game, and added an assist to Claire Whipkey, to end the first quarter with a statement 2-0 lead.

The second quarter was more of the same, Cudzilo closing the half with a hat trick, and Kaitlyn McManus getting on the board, making the score 5-2 in their favor headed into the half. Despite the three goal lead, Cunha delivered a message to her team to keep them dialed in. 

“We told them every ground ball, every uncontested ball, has to be ours. That’s exactly what they did.”

The third quarter showcased the Eagles’ stifling defense, shutting Decatur out, led by goalie Evy Armstead and big plays by defenders Maddie Stachera and Elise Rudy. The Eagles’ statement play of the night was a team effort in the closing 15 seconds of the third quarter. A monster defensive play by Sarah Mahaney led to a fast break in which the ball went from Whipkey to Cudzilo, and finally to Katie Foy who shot a rifle into the net with the buzzer sounding. The Eagles went into the fourth with a 7-2 cushion, capped by a play that was the epitome of what makes this team so special.

The fourth was more of the same, with a clear strategy by the Eagles to take their time and be patient. Cudzilo and Whipkey continued to power the offense, while Armstead maintained her presence in the goal. With under five minutes to go, Cudzilo capped off her incredible night with a fifth goal, and with three minutes left Foy put the game out of reach for good, allowing the Eagles to soak in what they just accomplished. The game ended with a score of 11-4, an appropriate representation of the Eagle’s wire-to-wire victory.

Cudzilo concluded the game with five goals and three assists while Whipkey had two goals. The two connected throughout the game, showing off the chemistry that has been building the past three years at Centennial. 

“Since she’s came here, each year our connection has just gotten better and better,” Whipkey said. “We understand each other so well on the field and she’s one of my best friends.”

While Cudzilo led the way in the statistical categories, the Eagles got contributions from all players. Armstead was a wall, blocking shots all game, while Foy, McManus, and Mahaney all played crucial roles in the offensive attack. Fittingly, when asked about her stellar performance, Cudzilo deferred to her teammates.

“My teammates set me up for every goal and assist that I had today, Cudzilo shared. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone.”

For the Eagles, this is the first time in school history that girls lacrosse has made a state championship bid, which offers the Eagles a chance to cement themselves in Centennial history. For Cunha, she describes the accomplishment as a full circle moment for her. 

“Being an alumni here and never having had this chance to even win a region title because of dynasties such as Hebron. This is extremely meaningful to me as a coach.”

The matchup in the final game is a hefty one. Manchester Valley girls lacrosse is listed eighth in the USA Lacrosse Top 25 National Rankings, making this game the toughest of the entire year for the Eagles. Despite the rankings and reputation of Manchester Valley, the Eagles haven’t changed their mentality.

“We need to just stick to what we know and play our game,” Cudzilo stated. We can’t listen to other people, we need to just believe in what we do.”