After 100 minutes of high-stakes soccer, a physical and emotional drain against a persistent and equally confident opponent, Liberty boys soccer showed what it had left when the Class 1A state title game against Brunswick came down to penalty kicks.

One by one, the Lions’ first four takers — Justin Kish, Connor Clapper, Ryan Clapper and Lucas Britos — picked their corners and delivered poised finishes. Then goalie Jaxon Vanderhoof had his moment, guessing correctly and following through with a save that provided an opening. All the quality work set up sophomore defender William Paucer to put the Lions’ final touch of the season neatly in the right corner.

The 5-3 margin in penalty kicks after 1-1 play against Brunswick in regulation and overtime was champion’s work as Liberty claimed the program’s second state crown Saturday at Loyola Maryland’s Ridley Athletic Complex.

The Lions closed the season with a 16-1 record, while Brunswick from Frederick County finished 14-3-2.

“Right about now, I’m just kind of numb. A hard season. We worked hard all season,” Liberty coach Donnie Kwedar said. “We just kept grinding it out. Constantly. And these guys never gave up. They wanted it and took it, and I’m proud.”

“Right about now, I’m just kind of numb. A hard season. We worked hard all season,” Liberty coach Donnie Kwedar said. “We just kept grinding it out. Constantly. And these guys never gave up. They wanted it and took it, and I’m proud.”

The Lions were three minutes away from the title in regulation after protecting a 1-0 lead earned on Britos’ successful penalty kick in the 16th minute. But the Railroaders, down one player because of a red card issued with 15 minutes left in the second half, pieced together an impressive tying goal. Marvin Vasquez Molina sent a ball forward to Chase Malone, who promptly finished from 14 yards for the long-awaited equalizer.

Vanderhoof praised and thanked his defense — Connor Clapper, Cooper Geidel, Brady Bergan and Paucar — for their tireless work during the 100 minutes. And he rewarded all of his teammates with the needed save in penalty kicks.

“At the end of the day, I guessed the right way and I saved a penalty kick. It was Cloud 9 — I was real excited,” he said. “But they made all five of their [penalty kicks], so it was just not my save. It was them, too.”

Paucar was equally grateful for his teammates setting up his chance to be the hero.

“I just stuck to my routine and made the shot,” he said, explaining his routine that sealed a state championship. “I just go up, take a little stutter, look where the goalie is leaning and go the other way.”

C. Milton Wright boys win 2A crown: Incredibly, the goal the C. Milton Wright boys soccer team needed to complete its outstanding playoff run came with 20:01 left to play in Saturday’s Class 2A state title game against Parkside.

All season, the Mustangs have honored their fallen teammate Evan Snyder, who died in June 2023 before his junior year. A starter as a sophomore, he wore No. 20. At the 20-minute mark of each half this season, Mustangs players, coaches and supporters clap in unison to pay tribute.

On Saturday at Loyola Maryland’s Ridley Athletic Complex, senior midfielder Kai Cempura gave the Wright contingent more to clap about.

Taking a short drop from Charlie Kitz just above the penalty area, Cempura hit a heavy strike from 22 yards that deflected off the defender closing in and into the net. The defense, flawless throughout the playoffs, held firm in the remaining time as the No. 8 Mustangs claimed a 1-0 win over the Rams from Wicomico County.

In closing with a 17-2 mark and capturing the program’s third state title, C. Milton Wright outscored its five playoff opponents by a 12-0 margin, with senior goalie Dylan Sander making four saves Saturday to help secure the win.

When the players received their state championship medals, one was given to Snyder’s parents, Derek and Amanda, who celebrated the victory. CMW coach Eric Riedlbauer said Evan, who started as a sophomore, surely would have been a team captain this season.

“So much revolved around Evan, and it just felt like he was there,” Riedlbauer said. “It’s just like he’s got a hand in this. You can’t write a script better than that. What can you say? He would have been a captain on this team this year, and besides being a phenomenal kid, he was also a great soccer player.”

Liberty girls claim 1A title: The Liberty girls soccer program’s proud motto was simple: “one team, one goal.” But when broken down, it means so much more to coach Danielle Prietz and her team.

“One team” refers to a talented roster littered with childhood friends, club teammates, softball stars and even a potential college lacrosse player or two who gather in August, come together, put aside any differences and jell into the most complete unit.

“From Aug. 13 on, I knew this team was special,” Prietz said. “They knew from the beginning that we were all about team and supporting each other. We knew if we got here, it could all be ours.”

The “one goal” was simple, and as Hannah DeVincent and Erin Martin looked down, the ultimate symbol of realizing that goal was around their necks: a state championship medal.

“One goal, one team” became “one champion” Saturday as the Lions walked away Saturday from Loyola Maryland’s Ridley Athletic Complex on top of Class 1A, winning the state championship after defeating Mardela, 3-0.

“It was such a great experience seeing all the fans supporting us and now knowing that we are state champions,” said Martin, who led the way with two goals. “It’s just great.”

In the 27th minute, the Lions finally connected after several close calls as DeVincent launched an accurate strike from the corner. The ball found Martin as she netted a beautiful header for the game’s first goal. Their aggression was awarded with more corner opportunities and DeVincent and Martin struck once again, connecting in the second half to extend the lead to 2-0.

“Wherever she kicks it at, I try to be there,” Martin said. “It’s really trial and error and working together.”

DeVincent’s third assist of the night, this time to Sophia Maciejewski, put the game away.

— Timothy Dashiell

C. Milton Wright girls fall in 2A: C. Milton Wright girls soccer players say they’ll remember the connections, friendships and people who were a part of their run to the state championship game the most. But, they added, a loss will perhaps linger even longer.

The Mustangs’ postseason run ended Saturday at Loyola Maryland’s Ridley Athletic Complex with a 2-0 loss to Queen Anne’s in the 2A state title game. But this was a continuation of a program on the rise nonetheless. It was their first time back in the title game since 2012. A win would have been their first crown since 2005.

Despite the unfavorable result, there are positives to take away. They’re confident this is the start of their rise rather than a one-year return to the top.

“It’s frustrating not being able to connect,” senior forward Emma Jankowiak said. “One of the last games we’re going to play, and just knowing that we could have done something better. Today, we fell short.”

— Taylor Lyons