After failing to win a state championship in 2014, Howard High headlined the 2015 Howard County boys lacrosse season by going 19-0 and winning its first state championship since 1979.
The Lions were led by Player of the Year Scott Bruner, who scored a county-record 88 goals, and fellow attackmen Cody Ford and Eric Schroeder. Ryan Land dominated face-offs all spring, and Brad Zulick led the county with 42 assists.
Defensively, Adam Friedman and Marshall McGlone shutdown opposing offenses, and goalie Collin McClelland played his best in the 4A/3A state championship game.
After starting the season 2-3, River Hill went on a charge and won nine games in a row before falling to Kent Island in the 3A/2A title game.
Jimmy McEneaney led the Hawks in goals and finished his career near the top of the Hawks' all-time leader board in goals and points.
Mt. Hebron won its first eight games of the season and ended county play 10-1 before falling to River Hill in the region championship after winning two straight postseason games in overtime.
Shane Brookhart led the Vikings in scoring, while midfielder Kyle Sutton and defender Matt Leone anchored the rest of the field. Goalie Casey DuBois finished with the top saves percentage in the county, including a shutout and four games allowing only one goal.
Led by defender Matt Baxter, Glenelg finished third in the county standings with a 9-2 record, but fell short twice in overtime to Mt. Hebron, including once in the postseason.
Marriotts Ridge took the Vikings to the wire in the playoffs before falling short and finishing its season 11-5 and 7-4 in county. Pat Clipp was one of the top players in the league, as he finished in the top-10 in points and ground balls.
Kevin Wilson finished his career as one of the best defenders in Centennial history. The Eagles went 5-9, but took the Gladiators to the wire in the season finale.
Atholton finished 6-5 in county and 8-8 overall, and beat Centennial in dominating fashion midway through the season. The Raiders made it to the regional semifinals, where they fell to River Hill by one goal.
Reservoir's Matt Marsh led the young Gators' team to a 7-9 record, while Wilde Lake, Oakland Mills, Long Reach and Hammond rounded out the bottom tier of the county.
Boys lacrosse beat reporter Tim Schwartz talks about the top players and teams, and much more in his recap of the 2015 season. To check it out, watch the video above.