Howard County girls soccer notebook: second edition

Play of the Week Poll: Which play was the best of the week? (From Sept. 13-20).

Get your votes in by Sunday, Sept. 25 at 11 p.m:

Players of the week: Reservoir sophomore Kennedy Hawkins had a huge week, coming up with her first varsity goal against Mt. Hebron on Sept. 13 and then following up with the game-winning overtime goal in the Gators Friday night matchup against Wilde Lake on Sept. 15. Hawkins has given Reservoir another weapon on the field, complimenting its stellar midfield line. She could prove as a huge x-factor moving forward for the Gators… Centennial senior forward Jasmine McCree scored both goals in the Eagles, 2-1, win over River Hill on Sept. 20, which helped the Eagles get back on track after a 1-0 loss to Howard on Sept. 16. According to Centennial coach Steve Baxter, McCree has looked more fit this season than last year, and has been playing her part in helping the Eagles to a 4-1 start… Busi Sokoya was one of the best defenders Long Reach had last season, but this year she has transitioned as one of the Lightning's best finishers. The junior buried her penalty kick during Long Reach's, 3-2, loss to South Carroll on Sept. 19 and then registered both goals for her team against Glenelg on Sept. 20 – the second coming with four seconds left in regulation to force extra time. The Lightning ended up taking the, 2-2, tie against the Gladiators… Mya McConnell has played huge in net for Howard. The sophomore has been vital in the Lions past two wins, posting shutouts in the two, 1-0, wins over Centennial and Mt. Hebron. McConnell had several diving stops to preserve the lead against the Vikings, while also making a crucial point-blank save against the Eagles.

Photo of the day: Centennial senior forward Jasmine McCree propelled her team to a 2-1 win over visiting River Hill Tuesday, Sept. 20. McCree scored her first goal early in the first half to give her team the, 1-0, lead. She then put in the go-ahead goal (shown here) with about 26 minutes remaining in the second half to ultimately clinch the win.

Thoughts… There has been a lot of parity within the first few weeks of the regular season and not a lot of people would have thought that the two lone teams with out a county loss would be Atholton and Glenelg – a team who finished with just one county win in 2015. The Gladiators have surprised a lot of teams with their re-vamped roster, which features a strong freshman and sophomore class, while the Raiders – who many thought would be the team to beat in the county – have proved after three weeks, they are in fact the team to beat in the county. However, they have yet to play their toughest part of their county schedule. A big test is Sept. 22 against Centennial, who defeated River Hill, 1-0, on Sept. 20.

Every other team has at least one county loss including the Eagles (lost 1-0 to Howard), Reservoir (lost 2-1 to Mt. Hebron) and River Hill (tied Glenelg, 2-2, and lost 1-0 to Centennial). But it is still early, the county race is still up for grabs and although the Raiders remain at the top with a spotless 3-0 mark, they still need to play the Gators, Eagles and Hawks, while matchups against the Vikings and Wildecats should not be overlooked. (Well in all honestly from what we've seen thus far, no game should be overlooked).

Standings as of 9/21: Atholton (5-1 overall, 3-0 county); Reservoir (4-1-1, 3-1); Glenelg (3-0-2, 1-0-2); Howard (3-2, 2-1); Centennial (5-1, 2-1); Marriotts Ridge (2-2-2, 2-1-1); River Hill (2-2-1, 1-1-1); Mt. Hebron (3-3, 1-2); Wilde Lake (1-3, 1-2); Long Reach (0-2-2, 0-2-1); Hammond (2-3, 0-3); Oakland Mills (0-5, 0-3); Glenelg Country (3-0, 3-0 IAAM B); Chapelgate (1-6, 1-3 IAAM C).

Check out last week's edition of the Howard County girls soccer Notebook:

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