As their jerseys hang on a fence behind the home bench, the Fallston boys? soccer team warms up in white t-shirts with the team?s motto ? GIVE THEM NOTHING BUT TAKE EVERYTHING ? scrolls in orange across their backs.
Once the opening whistle blows, Coach Christopher Hoover ? high blue socks and an even higher fade to his haircut ? transforms into a vision more likely seen at boot camp than on the sidelines.
After finishing a 15-win season with a loss in the 3A East Region final to eventual-state champion Mount Hebron, No. 8 Fallston (4-2-0) is playing like a team determined to go even further in the playoffs this fall.
“I think winning a state championship motivates us that much more because we?ve come up short every year before,” junior defender Ross Twanmoh said.
But winning the school?s first state title since 1992 is the only logical step for a team that has dominated Harford County. Since Hoover took over in 2001, the Cougars have gone 90-19-2, but five of those losses have come in the region tournament, which is why Fallston has made just one state tournament appearance.
“We have a big target on our backs because we have a tradition of doing well,” Hoover said. “These guys are trying to live up to that tradition.”
In a 3-2 win over Dulaney Tuesday, the Cougars? Dominic Welsh headed-in two throw-ins and Twanmoh scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal with nine minutes left.
“We?ve got a big thrower, and I don?t know, I just put it in,” Welsh said.
Hoover said Twanmoh and junior Michael Heiland are capable of long throw-ins into the penalty area to create scoring opportunities.
“Its an important part of the game,” Hoover said. “If it?s a chance in front of the goal, you have to give it your best chance, and we work on those things.”
Just one year removed from a team featuring 10 seniors, Fallston starts five seniors, five juniors and a sophomore.
“Our talent level is right upthere,” Hoover said. “We?re just younger than we have been in the past.”
The Cougars suffered through a tough run last week?including a deflating, 3-1 loss at River Hill?before defeating Dulaney.
“It was a learning process for us,” Twanmoh said. “We came out and didn?t play very well. We didn?t really make any corrections. Next time, if we know something is not working, we?ll change it.”
