As three-time defending Class 2A state champions, Glenelg field hockey has experienced the elation of reaching the mountaintop.

A win Nov. 9 over Manchester Valley would have put the Gladiators in rarified air. They would become just the fifth MPSSAA program to win four or more consecutive state field hockey titles, joining Severna Park, Pocomoke, Middletown and Bethesda-Chevy Chase.

However, the top-seeded Mavericks’ swarming defense and opportunistic offense proved too much as Glenelg’s late surge fell short in a 5-3 defeat, the Gladiators’ first of the season.

“These last four years were very special and that’s why it hurts so bad that we lost,” Glenelg senior Brinkley Eyre said. “I’m really proud and I feel really blessed to have such an amazing coach and such amazing teammates next to me. Just being able to win three state championships and get here, I just feel really lucky.”

Eyre has been a focal point since arriving at Glenelg. She has been a four-year starter, capping off her career with her best season yet. The veteran midfielder fittingly scored Glenelg’s final two goals, her 58th and 59th of the season, which is a Maryland state record.

Yet, for much of the game, Eyre was held in check. She was flanked by multiple Manchester Valley defenders each time she touched the ball, fighting for every chance she could. Fellow senior Sarah Walker, who has also been a constant throughout that multi-year run, suffered a knee injury and missed this season. Glenelg’s defense missed her veteran presence against Manchester Valley’s aggressive attackers, who quickly jumped on rebounds and second-chance opportunities.

While both University of Maryland commits are departing, they’ve left a lasting impact. During their time, Glenelg amassed a 58-10 record, winning three Howard County championships, including two straight.

“Everybody looks up to them,” Glenelg coach Martie Dyer said of Eyre and Walker. “They want to be just like them. They want to be like Brinkley on attack. They want to be just like Sarah on defense. It hurt that we didn’t have Sarah, but we had a great season. We have to hold our heads up high.”

Through that sustained success, Glenelg has reloaded each season. Coming into this year, the Gladiators graduated 2023 Howard County Times Player of the Year AJ Eyre, Brinkley’s older sister. In her absence, Brinkley stepped up to lead the offense. Meanwhile, sophomore Meghan Walker stepped into an increased role offensively, finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer with 28 goals and six assists.

Integrating to the team, Glenelg’s younger players have remained committed to maintaining that winning standard. Walker wasn’t the only underclassmen playing an important role, as the freshman trio of Lakshmi Almli, Caroline Latchis and Cate Staley each were starters. Almli finished with 14 goals and seven assists, while Staley added 12 goals and 14 assists.

While her decorated career didn’t end the way she hoped, Brinkley Eyre expressed excitement for the program’s future.

“I’m really excited for them to just grow,” Eyre said of the underclassmen. “They’ll leave a legacy here because they’re so young and they’re so talented. I’m just really excited to see how they grow and play next year.”

Waiting for their runner-up medals, Glenelg showed the heartbreak that its state championship opponents have felt each of the past three years. The Gladiators shared warm embraces, hugging one another, fighting through tears.

“It was interesting to me how many of the younger girls were really crying because they wanted it for the seniors,” Dyer said. “They wanted it for everybody else on the team, seeking a four-peat. So, this is tough on them.”

Disheartened by the defeat, Glenelg’s returners plan to utilize the loss as motivation as they seek to return to the state championship stage.

“I would say, we’ll be playing with our hearts and playing for them,” Meghan Walker said fighting back tears. “They couldn’t get it their last year, but next year we’ll come back stronger and we’re going to want revenge. So, just playing with that.”