By Connor Hawthorne, Co-Editor In Chief
On Saturday, November 16, under the brilliant lights of the Loyola University Stadium, the boys soccer season approached the end of the road: state championships. This was the culmination of all their hard work throughout the season. As they prepared to take on Mt. Hebron, the stands filled with a lively crowd of River Hill students who had come out to support the team despite the rain.
This year the boys soccer team had a great season, and after a 2-1 win over Sherwood High School in the State Quarterfinal, the team was ready to compete for their first state championship since 2018. Senior Allan Ying describes how the team was ready for the championship game since they had “been together since sophomore year.”
For the Mt. Hebron Vikings, their path to the championship game was much different than the Hawks. After a 5-9 regular season, no one took them seriously as contenders for the state championship. Against all odds, the Vikings fought and scrapped their way through the playoffs, and after a one goal win in the state quarterfinals, they were on their way to the state championship game.
As the players entered the stadium, they were greeted by a crowd of excited River Hill fans who had come out to support the team. Loyola University with its 6,000 seat stadium was clearly a change compared to the field at River Hill.
As the game progressed, it was obvious that both teams had very strong defenses. Throughout the entire regulation time, barely any shots were taken on either goal due to the strength of both teams’ defenses. Alan Ying describes how the team had planned to “move the ball and play around their defense.” The closest any team got to scoring was when Mt. Hebron went for a corner kick that barely missed the net, ricocheting off of the crossbar.
Throughout the game, the student section was extremely energetic and full of spirit. Mr Creighton, the athletic director kept the student section in check throughout the game whenever they’d get a little bit too rowdy. Senior Marcus Hadeed, describes the atmosphere as “intense and energetic” with River Hill students “excited to support their team.”
As the second half ended 0-0 the first overtime period began. River Hill almost managed to score several times during the first overtime. By this point, Mt. Hebron seemed to be growing tired, while River Hill kept up the pressure. Unfortunately, the Hawks couldn’t get off a shot and the first overtime ended with both teams still lacking any points.
The second overtime went much like the first with both teams struggling to get any shots against the other team’s formidable opponents. As the final overtime period ended, the stage was set for an epic standoff. A penalty kick shootout to determine the state champions. As River Hill’s goalie Zach Glass took his place, the crowd held their breath as the penalty kicks began. Back and forth, the two teams shot penalty kicks as all the players scored their points. River Hill’s first four kicks were scored by Luke Martinez, Mohammed Emira, Max Guzman and Joseph Montgomery. Eventually, one of Mt. Hebron’s players missed one of their shots as it bounced off a goalpost. This left Hawks up one point and gave senior Logan Aranada the chance to win the game with the next penalty shot.
The crowd held their breath as Logan approached the ball, raising their hands in the air in a gesture of support. As his foot collided with the ball, Mt Hebron’s goalie dove as Logan’s ball shot straight down the middle, winning the state championship for the Hawks.
As the students and athletes saw the ball crash into the back of the goal, the students’ section and the team went wild celebrating their championship win. Eventually the team lined up to accept their medals and trophy for their state championship win to the accolades of the crowd. 10 years ago in 2014, the Hawks won the soccer state championship. This new generation of soccer players have proven themselves just as worthy as the 2014 team. Congratulations River Hill Soccer on your victory!