"I'm trying to get Sam to give me her draw tricks, but she's been a fortress," Stukenberg said.
"Zoe is such a student of the game, she figures out her weaknesses and works on them," said Gaieski, who called her midfielder "the team's spark."
The University of Maryland, among other high-profile teams, also noticed that spark and came calling early. Stukenberg has made a verbal commitment to play collegiately at College Park.
"I'm a Marylander. I was born and raised in Maryland. Everyone in my neighborhood bleeds Maryland pride," Stukenberg said. "I grew up watching Jen Adams playing at Maryland. When I was in seventh grade (Glenelg's) Kristy Black decided to go there and then (Glenelg's) Taylor Salandra did too. That's so cool, and the school has so much to offer."
But before Stukenberg dons a Terps jersey, she's got another year of high school to complete. In addition to lacrosse, she plays soccer and basketball for the Mustangs.
Stukenberg is a competitor to her core, but she also has the ability to stand back and put a game, including the loss to Mt. Hebron, in perspective.
"I'm lucky to have such great teammates. …We're a dang good team, and we are the same team we were the day before we lost to Mt. Hebron. We're beatable, but it's just a game. …We all have great lives, and we need to remember that next year. Lacrosse isn't everything."
Named to the all-county first team:
Attack
Rachel Benzing, Centennial senior. A four-year varsity player, Benzing was the type of player who could do everything well. She led the Eagles in goals (42) and draw control (46). She was especially effective against River Hill, scoring eight of her team's 19 goals.
"Rachel was the girl that everybody looked to. When they were in trouble, they knew Rachel was there to help out," coach Martie Dyer said.
"She lives for the game. She has been playing lacrosse forever. Her mother was her mentor and has taught her well."
Benzing will play for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Nicole Grote, Marriotts Ridge senior. Grote was the quarterback of the Marriotts Ridge team, and like any good quarterback she was adept at setting her teammates up. Recording 64 assists this season for the county and District V champions, Grote became the first Marriotts Ridge player to surpass 100 career assists.
"And she only played varsity three years," points out coach Natalie Gaieski.
"Nicole was a very unselfish player and she always has been," her coach added.
But when the Mustangs needed a goal, Grote was able to provide. With a crease roll that was nearly unstoppable, she tallied 29 goals on the season.
Grote will play for the University of New Hampshire next year.
Haley Sutton, Mt. Hebron junior. An off-ball creator who is known as Mt. Hebron's "sneaky" attacker, Sutton could find the back of the net quicker than anyone.
"With an explosive first step, her success at the back-door cut has been critical for us this year," coach Trish Derwart-Sullivan said.