PLAYER OF THE YEAR
* Brock Yetso, Centennial, sr., goalkeeper -- Nicknamed "The Wall," he recorded 10 shutouts and only one of seven goals allowed this season by Centennial was considered his fault. No team scored more than one goal against Centennial. He preserved a 1-1 tie with C. Milton Wright in the regular season with saves on three "sure" goals in overtime despite having suffered a concussion. When Centennial went into a defensive shell to protect a 1-0 halftime lead during a regular-season game against Whitman, he produced several big saves. In the state semifinal against Whitman he recovered from a kick in the face to play well. He saved a 1-0 victory against Wilde Lake with an exceptional save. "No one else in the area is on the same level as him," Centennial coach Bill Stara said. "He's a total package for a high school keeper. He reads the game well, organizes players, is athletic and make saves that others can't." Yetso is a member of the national-18 team. He never played in a losing game in high school.
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
* Don Shea, Oakland Mills -- With a strenuous conditioning program and a lot of time spent on the basics and team chemistry, Shea took a team that few thought would be highly successful and molded it into a state Class 2A champion. This was not one of Oakland Mills' most powerful teams, but the players respected one another and pulled together for the common good. The Scorpions lost only to Centennial, 1-0, and to Loyola, 2-1, on the way to a 15-2 season. Shea's teams at Oakland Mills also won state titles in 1986, 1988 and 1990. He also won a state title when he coached at Elkton. His career record at Oakland Mills is 98-26-8. Overall his teams are 218-40-12.
* Bill Stara, Centennial -- After a rash of nagging early-season injuries that contributed to two ties, the No. 1 Eagles posted a 15-0-2 record and won their third Class 3A state title in four years. The biggest games were two wins over Whitman, the defending Class 3A champion. It was Stara's sixth state title since he took over the program in 1981. His career record is 168-19-10.
FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE
* Zuri Barnes, Oakland Mills, jr., forward -- He was the engine that powered Oakland Mills offense. His speed and incessant runs created fear in opposing players and coaches. He had an assist in the 1-0 regional championship game win over Glenelg. He scored twice in the regional semifinal. And he assisted on the winning goal in the state championship game. His totals were six goals and nine assists.
* Simon Bwalya, Oakland Mills, jr., defense -- Bwalya was one of the key reasons that Oakland Mills allowed just 10 goals, had 10 shutouts and won the state Class 2A championship. He has versatility and speed. He scored the game-wining goal in a 1-0 regional championship victory over Glenelg, a team that had knocked the Scorpions out of the playoffs the last two seasons. He led the team with eight goals and had two assists.
* Jeff Cline, Glenelg, sr., midfield -- A second-year captain, he led the county with 11 goals and scored in eight of Glenelg's first 10 games. He had a hat trick against Walter Johnson. A good ball handler who is tough in the air, he also helped out a lot defensively. He was All-County last season.
* Jeff Curtis, Wilde Lake, sr., defense -- The Wildecats allowed only 14 goals but lost seven 1-0 games. They allowed more than one goal only twice while stumbling to a 4-9-1 record. He was the glue in back for the first part of the season, and then moved to midfield. He scored two goals and had four assists. He was All-County last season.
* Kris Dramby, Centennial, sr., midfield -- A rugged, highly creative player, he scored the game-winning goal against Howard (1-0) during the regular season on a dramatic 25-yard direct kick with five minutes left despite a muscle tear in his left thigh. He had an assist on the game-winning goal against Whitman, 1-0. His totals were eight goals and three assists. He never played in a losing game during his career.
* Mike Green, Howard, jr., defense -- He has good technical skills, is physically powerful and can dominate a game. His best defensive game was against Centennial during the regular season when he kicked three "sure goals" off the line. He scored against Mount Hebron, Atholton, Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills. His totals were eight goals and three assists.
* Jabari Richardson, Hammond, jr., midfield -- A complete package of quickness and skills, he often ran circles around defenders. He scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Howard. His 26-yard direct kick against Mount Hebron temporarily tied that game. He scored eight goals and had four assists.
* Ben Stephenson, Centennial, soph., defense -- He deserves much of the credit for Centennial's record of 10 shutouts and seven goals allowed. His season could be described only as fantastic. He showed an uncanny knack for reading the play, being in the right place and almost never mis-kicking a ball. He has lots of power in his right leg. "I never realized just how important he was until he got injured and missed some minutes during the Howard playoff game," Stara said. He was All-County last season.
* Matt Stephenson, Centennial, soph., forward -- A speed merchant with good skills, he scored the game-winning goal in the state championship game and also had the game-winner against Howard in the regional semifinal. He scored the goal in a 1-1 tie with C. Milton Wright and in the 1-0 win over Wilde Lake. In all, he scored in nine different games. His totals were nine goals and six assists. He was All-County last season and is a jTC member of the national ODP pool.
* Doug Ulman, Centennial, sr., midfield -- A senior captain, and a heady player, he scored both goals in the state semifinal against Whitman. His strength was in reading the game. He scored eight goals and had three assists. The last part of the season he played stopper. All-County as a sophomore, he never played in a losing game.
* Kumi Walker, Centennial, jr., defense -- He was a mainstay in the Eagles' outside defense. His speed allowed him to push up and he helped his teammates create scoring opportunities. A transfer from Howard, Walker scored a goal in the 2-0 state championship win and had an assist in the 1-0 regional championship victory against Broadneck. He had one goal and three assists.
* Brian West, Centennial, jr., forward -- An All-Metro pick last season, West was once again one of the most formidable strikers in the area. He scored seven goals and had 13 assists, despite being a constant target of opposing defenses. A member of the national Olympic Development Program pool, his speed and skills are exceptional. He scored the game-winning goal against Broadneck in the regional championship game. He scored the game-winner against Whitman in the regular season. And he had an assist in the state championship game.
1994 ALL-HOWARD COUNTY BOYS SOCCER
Player of the Year: Brock Yetso, Centennial
Coaches of the Year: Don Shea, Oakland Mills and Bill Stara, Centennial
First team
K? Name ............. School ............ Year ..... Position
Zuri Barnes ......... Oakland Mills ..... Junior ... Forward
Simon Bwalya ........ Oakland Mills ..... Junior ... Defense
Jeff Cline .......... Glenelg ........... Senior ... Midfield
Jeff Curtis ......... Wilde Lake ........ Senior ... Defense
Kris Dramby ......... Centennial ........ Senior ... Midfield
Mike Green .......... Howard ........... Junior ... Defense
Jabari Richardson ... Hammond ........... Junior ... Midfield
Ben Stephenson ...... Centennial ...... Sophomore .. Defense
Matt Stephenson ..... Centennial ...... Sophomore .. Forward
Doug Ulman .......... Centennial ........ Senior ... Midfield
Kumi Walker ......... Centennial ........ Junior ... Defense
Brian West .......... Centennial ........ Junior ... Forward
ABrock Yetso ......... Centennial ........ Senior ... Goalkeeper
Second team
L Name .............. School ............ Year ..... Position
Shane Ardo .......... Mount Hebron ....... Senior ... Goalkeeper
Josh Briefel ........ Wilde Lake ......... Senior ... Defense
Reg Brown ........... Glenelg ............ Junior ... Forward
Kevin Gardner ....... Oakland Mills ...... Senior ... Midfield
Pat Halter .......... Mount Hebron ...... Sophomore.. Midfield
Mike Jenkins ........ Oakland Mills ...... Senior ... Midfield
Tony Marchegiano .... Glenelg ............ Junior ... Forward
Keith Murphy ........ Oakland Mills ...... Senior ... Midfield
Brian Otten ......... Centennial ......... Junior ... Midfield
Cory Piette ......... Centennial ......... Junior ... Midfield
BKyle Stephens ....... Oakland Mills ...... Senior ... Goalkeeper
Dan Stoutenborough .. Oakland Mills ...... Junior ... Defense
Andrew Williamson ... Glenelg ............ Senior ... Defense
Cort Yetso .......... Centennial ........ Sophomore.. Defense
Honorable mention: Chris Dodson, Howard, senior; Kamil Quander, Hammond, sophomore; Peter Bachman, Howard, junior; Ted Zingman, Atholton, junior; Gavin Philipp, Wilde Lake, senior; Jason Gotis, Oakland Mills, sophomore; Ryan Rees, Atholton, senior; Mike Stromberg, Mount Hebron, sophomore.
PICKING THE TEAMS
The Baltimore Sun 1994 All-Howard County boys and girls soccer teams were selected by Rick Belz and Katherine Dunn, respectively.