Some of the best players in the state got their chance to shine last night in the Maryland Association of Coaches of Soccer & Umbro Boys All-State Soccer games at Johns Hopkins University's Homewood Field.
For one player, however, doing his best meant not trying to do too much.
After the first game ended in a 1-1 tie, Fallston's Shane Dougherty had a goal and an assist to help his North squad to a 2-1 win in the nightcap. For Dougherty, it was a case of mind over matter.
"If you try to do too much out there, you start messing up," said Dougherty, whose team finished 13-1-1. "You have to use your head and just try and keep things simple . . . just make the right pass and play smart."
The teams, comprised mostly of MACS first-team all-stars, and including 10 players from state championship teams -- nine playing for the North -- took advantage of the hard Homewood turf and put on a wide-open offensive exhibition.
The North, featuring first-team All-Baltimore County/City selections Jeremy Baker (Calvert Hall), Mike Liggins (Catonsville) and Matt Tirschman (Overlea), dominated most of the way, outshooting the South, 13-9, including 6-2 in the first half.