For anyone who saw the River Hill girls' soccer team play this fall, it would have been hard not to notice senior Alex Hamer or junior Jessie Hopkins making plays.
After all, the Columbia Flier/Howard County Times girls soccer co-Players of the Year combined for 83 points this season, accounted for more than half of the Hawks goals and were the leaders on and off the field for a team that won its third straight 3A state championship.
"We go hand-in-hand," said Hamer. "We're like two peas in a pod, or something like that."
The truth is, no matter where they go — whether it's playing for the same club team in Bethesda or walking the halls at school — the two of them are inseparable.
"I think us being as close as we are off the field kind of helped (our success), because I can easily say she's my best friend," said Hopkins. "She is somebody that I can trust, so it helps on and off the field having somebody there, and it just seems like it correlates on the field."
That sentiment was never more obvious than in the 3A state championship game against Linganore.
The Hawks scored two goals in the first seven minutes — the first from Hamer to Hopkins, the second from Hopkins to Hamer — in a 2-1 win.
"I don't think I could have asked for anything more. The fact that we scored in such a short period of time to each other then to each other, it was almost too perfect," said Hamer. "It was really, really fun. I was just like jumping up and down (after each goal). We were so happy. ... I couldn't have asked for anything better for ways of scoring."
Before they were a dynamic duo, the two had different roles in River Hill's previous two state championship seasons.
Hamer had played the role of sidekick to Sheridan Street, who scored 61 goals in her four-year career. Hopkins, meanwhile, controlled the midfield and scored four goals with 11 assists last fall.
When Street graduated, she left a scoring void that Hamer and Hopkins knew they had to fill.
"It was definitely different than my previous three years because it's a lot of responsibility and a lot of pressure — good pressure because you want to score," said Hamer.
As for Hopkins, she wanted to do whatever it took to take the pressure off Hamer, whether it was scoring goals or setting Hamer up for scoring chances.
"I knew Alex had a big job and big expectations filling in for Sheridan," Hopkins said. "My mentality was 'don't leave her hanging up there.' It's her senior year, you've got to do what you can to help her out."
In their new roles, everything for the two girls seemed to click from the start of the season until the finish.
Hamer ended the season with 12 goals and 12 assists, while Hopkins, who has committed to UMBC, finished with 13 goals and 21 assists. Most of those assists were to Hamer.
"I think we work really, really well together," Hamer said. "I would always be looking for her almost every single time I got the ball. There's a good balance between both of us, and I think that really helped our team succeed because we both knew how (each other) played, so it was easy and was really fun."
Although they contributed to "about 70 percent" of the team's success, Hawks coach Brian Song said their biggest contribution to the team was the leadership they brought to a young group.
River Hill started four freshmen, and Song said they each looked at Hamer and Hopkins as role models.
Being such close friends, it was an easy job for Hamer and Hopkins. They just had to be themselves.
So whether it was goofing off while warming up for the state championship game, or asking how the other was doing every few minutes during close, intense games, it kept everyone loose.
Hamer, who will play at Elon next fall, has high expectations for Hopkins' senior season. She hopes to come back home to see her best friend lead River Hill to a fourth straight championship, something only one other team in state history has ever accomplished.
"I expect Jess to get the four-peat," Hamer said. "I think they can do it to be honest. My expectation of her is to lead the team. Jessie's a really good leader, so if she just continues to do that ... it's going to be an awesome senior season for her."
Also named to the first team are:
Forwards
Nia Elbeck, Howard. Elbeck was a force on the offensive end for the Lions all season long, but she saved her best for the final stretch. In the postseason on the way to the 4A state final, the farthest run in program history, Elbeck scored four of her 17 goals.
The speedy forward was the go-to scorer for Howard and often beat double-teams throughout the season. "Basically she had a part in every single goal," said Howard coach Bali Boule. "She is a hard worker and very focused. She is fast and can take people on."
In a 3-2 win against Atholton during the regular season, Elbeck registered a hat trick, including the game-winner seven minutes into overtime. In addition to the goals, the senior also added four assists this fall to rank second overall in the county in total points (38).
Kayla Pindell, Reservoir. Pindell scored 10 goals for the Gators and was the driving force for the teams' offense, coach Phil Ranker said.
"Kayla was an offensive force this year. She generated the majority of our scoring chances despite being consistently double and even triple teamed," he said. "She showed great heart and leadership by battling through an injury that lingered the whole season. The intensity and effort that she brought to the team helped make everyone better."
Pindell had two goals in a 6-1 win over Hammond, and had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win against Oakland Mills. She later helped lead her team to the 3A East quarterfinals, where they ultimately fell to River Hill, 1-0.
Reese Western, Centennial. Western was often times the best goal scorer on the field and was the leading forward for the Eagles. She created havoc for opponents' defense with a good penetrating dribble that gave her team several corner kicks per game.
Western could have put up even bigger numbers than the 11 goals and 8 assists she had this season if it weren't for an injury she suffered in the team's game against Howard. Even with the injury, she still averaged two points per game.
"Reese Western is our most dangerous forward," said Centennial coach Steven Baxter. "She is very good at setting up opportunities in the offensive third. I would love to have seen the numbers she would have put up if she was 100 percent for even half of the season and played in all of our games."
Midfield
Jen Giles, Mt. Hebron. A four-year varsity starter and a first-team all-county selection three times, Giles finishes her stellar career with a combined 22 goals and 9 assists. She was the leader of the team, dominating the middle of the field and feeding assists to senior forward Kelly Richards and the rest of the offense. In addition, she was great on both sides of the ball and was one of the Vikings' best defenders.
"Jen is an absolutely amazing player to watch and coach. She has always, and continues to, demand the best of herself and her teammates," said Mt. Hebron coach Tim Deppen. "Jen is aggressive coming forward out of the center mid and very dangerous on offensive corners and restarts."
Anna Mitchell, Centennial. A season after leading Howard County in points with 40 (11 goals and 18 assists) and being a first team all-county selection, Mitchell seemed to be on that pace again this season. However, she suffered an ankle injury in late September that forced her to miss seven games. She still finished with 7 goals and 9 assists.
She returned from the injury for her final game and, despite not being close to 100 percent, she still made an immediate impact in limited minutes in the 3A East regional final against River Hill — a game the Eagles ultimately lost 2-1 in double overtime.
"(She) is a fantastic all-around player and an outstanding midfielder," Baxter said. "She is our offensive catalyst out of the midfield along with Jasmine (McCree)."
Fern Peters, Howard. Peters controlled the midfield for the Lions and wasn't afraid to step forward to help the offense or move back for her defense. She was the main distributor in the team's devastating transition play throughout the season, and often played the through balls to Elbeck up top. She finished with 4 goals and 7 assists on the season, including a goal and an assist in Howard's 4-0 playoff win over Blake.
"Fern is a very good distributer with excellent field vision," said Boule. "She mostly played center mid, but occasionally played up top. She was very important to the attack and transitioning."
Emma Johnson, Atholton. Johnson was one of the top midfielders in the county and was the glue that held the Raiders together this season. She was also an offensive threat as the team's second-leading scorer and led the Raiders in assists with six. She was Atholton's go-to player and helped keep things going after several key players suffered injuries and missed time.
"She is a high impact player who is all over the field. She is great at breaking down the opponents attack, then turning and starting ours," said Atholton coach Stephanie Stoutenborough. "We looked to her to control the tempo of the game for us."
Rachel Lazris, Wilde Lake. Lazris dominated the midfield in almost every game for the Wildecats, and she was also the team's leading point scorer with 8 goals and 4 assists.
Three of those goals, including a game-winning penalty kick, came in a 4-3 win over Mt. Hebron on Oct. 7. She scored in six of her team's seven wins.
"Rachel is a commanding force on and off the field," said Wilde Lake coach Davia Procida. "She leaves everything she has on the field after games and practices and is always eager to learn how she can improve. She is a great competitor and an exceptional person I truly enjoy coaching."
Defense
Nia Crump, Mt. Hebron. Crump, a first-team all-county sweeper from last season, ended her career as a four-year starter. She became the Vikings' leader this season and even scored twice and added two assists.
In addition to being a shutdown defender, Crump took all of the Vikings' set pieces.
In a playoff win over Long Reach, she assisted and scored on free kicks to lead the Vikings to a 4-1 win.
"Nia is the strongest player physically and mentally on my team," said Deppen. "She is the glue that holds our defense together. She is the vocal leader of our team on and off the field. She had the right attitude to make our team successful and is always striving to improve herself and her teammates."
Becca Higgins, River Hill. Higgins was the best defender on the three-time defending state champion Hawks. She proved that she was always in the right place at the right time in the 3A state championship game against Linganore.
In the late stages of the game, holding on to a one-goal lead, the Hawks' defense seemed vulnerable as the Lancers continued to attack. But it was Higgins that had several key clears, including one that was sitting on the post, as River Hill held on for the win.
The Hawks boasted one of the county's stingiest defenses, registering 10 shutouts this fall.
"She is the glue and the general of our defense," said River Hill coach Brian Song.
Rachel Kim, Long Reach. Despite playing for a four-win Lightning team, Kim was possibly the best defender in the county and was a dominant sweeper. She may play in the back, but she still contributed to the offense more than most playing her position as she scored 3 goals and added 3 assists.
Kim, a three-year starter, is on the first team for the first time. As a freshman, she led the Lightning to the state semifinals, and this season she took all of her team's set pieces.
"She has stepped up her quality of play again this year," said Long Reach coach Erik Sandersen. "Though a sweepers play is hard to quantify statistically, she has brought an array of talents that distinguish her. She has a brilliant feel for when to step up to cut off a pass and when to fall back."
Samantha Price, Marriotts Ridge. Price, a three-year starter and team captain, is a natural defender with some of the best field sense, technical skill and athleticism of any defender in the county. In addition to being a lockdown sweeper and having a knack for stepping in at just the right moment, she took all the team's set pieces and had 9 assists for the Mustangs.
"She plays with the perfect mix of power and finesse," said Marriotts Ridge coach Robin Grey. "Sam takes all our kicks because her accuracy is unbelievable. Regardless of the spot of the foul, she has this knack for putting the ball in the back of the net or placing it on goal for one of our players to finish off."
Mary Johnson, Hammond. Among the nine underclassmen that started for the Golden Bears, Johnson stood out from the pack and is the youngest player on the first team. Although she is just a sophomore, the team relied heavily on her for determination and leadership.
"Mary was the heart and soul of our team," said Hammond coach Chris Reagle. "She was the most talented player on the field in several games and was a shutdown defender in others. The comment I received most often from opposing coaches and referees was 'Mary is a beast,' which is probably the best way to describe her playing style."
Goalie
Sage Mayhew, Atholton. On a team that was full of talent, it was Mayhew that stood out and was the vocal leader for the Raiders' defense. With great instincts and quick hands, she dominated balls in the air and made several key saves in big games for Atholton.
"Sage had some amazing saves this season that kept our team in some very close games," said Stoutenborough.
Mayhew finished as the county's top goalie in terms of save percentage, stopping over 90 percent of the shots she faced. She made 85 saves on the season and finished with nine shutouts.