Century may only be in its fourth season of varsity competition, but the Carroll County school is firmly entrenched as one of the better programs in Maryland.
They claimed their second state title in three years with a 16-6 win over Pikesville in the Class 2A-1A finals Tuesday at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Pikesville (11-6) played tough throughout the contest, but could not stop Jenny Steadman or Britney Zerhusen.
Steadman finished with six goals while Zerhusen had two goals and four assists for the Knights (19-0).
The difference in Tuesday?s game came in the second half as Century outscored Pikesville 10-2 in that span.
Prior to that, Pikesville kept the game interesting as they pulled within 6-4 late in the first half.
Megan Seidman had two goals and two assists to pace the Panthers.
“We have lot of new girls on the team this year and I think we had some jitters in the first half,” said Steadman, who had 87 goals this season. “Once we got into a rhythm in the second half, we knew we had what it took to win it all.”
Century coach Rose Pentz said the key to Tuesday?s win was the Knights? ability to calm down and force turnovers on both the offensive and defensive ends in the second half.
“Everyone on this team contributed and deserves credit for this state championship,” she said.
Pikesville coach Polly Purcell said she is proud of the way the Panthers played to reach the state finals for the first time in school history. The Panthers graduate just just three seniors and coach Purcell believes her team has the ability to reach the state title game again next season.
“We had a great season, and I?d like to think we have enough to get back next year,” she said.
STATE FINALS NOTES
» Zerhusen set the Class 2A-1A record with four assists in a championship game.
» Steadman, along with Shelley Klaes (Loch Raven ?92) and Robyn Harry (Loch Raven ?94), held the previous record of three assists.
» Century is 67-4 in four seasons with Pentz as head coach.
» Century also advanced to the state championship game in 2003 and 2005.
» Pikesville made its previous state playoff appearances in 1991 and 2005.
