Jordan Coburn's team never won a county championship and never advanced to the final four in state competition. She'll graduate from Centennial next spring without knowing the thrill of winning a high school soccer title.

But Coburn is not leaving empty-handed. A defender known for her poise, confidence and the ability to be a game-changer, Coburn led Centennial to its best season since 2007. She's the Columbia Flier/Howard County Times Player of the Year in girls soccer.

"We had a great season, the best in a long time," she said. "This was the year we thought we were going all the way. Knowing it was our senior year, we wanted to leave everything out on the field. It was our last chance to do something great here at Centennial.

"Unfortunately, we didn't" accomplish those goals, said Coburn, one of 11 seniors.

River Hill beat Centennial for the county title, and a surging Reservoir team upset the Eagles in the playoffs to squash all state title dreams.

That final loss was "so devastating," she said.

Throughout the season, "we got a bunch of goals from a variety of players. We had a lot of new players. We bonded well. The only thing missing was the icing on the cake, the championship. Even though I don't have a championship, I had an amazing time here at Centennial."

Centennial's defense protected keeper Katie Donegan, who gave up only five goals. Donegan recorded 10 shutouts as Centennial finished second in the county with an 8-1-2 record. Overall, the Eagles compiled an 11-2-2 mark. Coburn was the centerpiece in a showcase flat-four defense.

"Our back line had an amazing year," she said, noting the play of teammates Anna Cowan, Milena Benitez and Caroline Baker. "We were so strong and worked so well together. I think that's why we were so successful."

But she was always a part of Centennial's offense, whether she was starting the transition from the back, taking direct kicks, or even moving up top.

Coach Steve Baxter "put me up there when we needed a goal or a change in the momentum," said Coburn.

Playing forward is a "lot of fun," she said, "but I'm more comfortable in the back. I can still take (the ball) forward from the back."

"With Jordan's ability, I always gave her my blessing to make attacking runs and when she did, it was a beautiful sight to watch," said Baxter. "Jordan is a complete player: skilled, athletic, fast, excellent soccer skills and an innate ability to read the game. Her soccer instincts are second to none."

Coburn's left-footed kicks added another dimension to Centennial's game. "She takes kicks 50 yards from goal and puts them out in the penalty box with precision," said Baxter. "Her corner kicks were always well placed. Her goal kicks go to midfield, so her strength and ability helps us with changing field position out of the back with every goal kick."

Coburn had three goals and three assists for the Eagles. She scored on a 35-yard free kick against Marriotts Ridge "to give us the victory. That was special!" said Baxter.

The senior's leadership on and off the field helped solidify the team.

"I feel like I was a role model for a lot of my teammates, especially the underclassmen. And I'm extremely vocal on the field, constantly talking, 'You can do the…,' pumping people up," said Coburn. As a captain, her job was to keep players focused before a game. "It's soccer talk or no talk," she said.

Coburn, whose Bethesda travel team won a national championship last year, will play for Virginia Tech next fall.

"Jordan could have been the big fish at numerous colleges who were recruiting her," said Baxter. "However, she chose the challenge of playing in the ACC, arguably the toughest conference in all of college soccer."

Defenders don't often get a lot of recognition, but Coburn has been named to the all-state team picked by Maryland coaches. Her biggest moment of recognition came at Centennial's soccer banquet when Baxter announced that Coburn had been named Player of the Year.

"I got a standing ovation. That is an amazing feeling, looking up and seeing everyone there for you," she said.

Named to the all-county first team are:

Forwards

Alex Hamer, River Hill freshman. This newcomer stepped into a starting role and played like a veteran in the Hawks' county championship campaign. She scored the winning goal against Centennial to clinch the title. While she could score, she was outstanding in the role of playmaker and had 12 assists. Often, Sheridan Street, also a first-team selection, was on the receiving end of Hamer's passes.

"I do believe she was one of the best freshmen in the county this year," said coach Brian Song, who nominated Hamer for Player of the Year honors. "She has unbelievable speed and once she gets going, not too many people can stop her. She knows how to score, but she also had a knack for finding people."

Amanda Jackson, Reservoir junior. Jackson might have been the most dangerous player in the county. She's "an unbelievable player. Every time she touches the ball I think something amazing can happen," said Reservoir coach Josh Sullivan.

Jackson, a repeat first-team pick, scored four goals and added nine assists. She might have scored more but was often needed elsewhere. "She can play any position on the field, and this year for us she was required to play striker, midfielder, and defense. She did whatever it took for us to try and win the game," Sullivan said.

Marriotts Ridge coach Robin Grey said "Jackson is the complete package — dynamic, explosive, technically sound, the definition of an impact player."

Jackson has made a verbal commitment to accept a full scholarship to Loyola Marymount in California.

Gillian Sawyer, Wilde Lake senior. Sawyer, a repeat first-team pick, started every game in her four-year career and was an impact player from the beginning, even for this year's lackluster team. With speed and quickness, she has been a consistent goal scorer. Sawyer, with eight of Wilde Lake's nine goals this fall, was a Player of the Year nominee.

"For the past four years, Gillian has been the goals story at Wilde Lake and has willingly accepted that role. Despite playing on a team that only won five in-county games for the past two seasons, Gillian's leadership has played an important role in maintaining team spirit in the face of regular losses," said her coach, Robin Sawyer, also her father.

Sawyer, who scored a school-record 52 goals at Wilde Lake, had Division I offers but has chosen to play for Division III St. Mary's next year.

Sheridan Street, River Hill sophomore. In just her second year of varsity play, Street took advantage of her opportunities to lead the county champs in scoring with 17 goals. No other public school player found the net more often. She and teammate Alex Hamer seemed to look for each other, and teams had trouble stopping both of them.

"I believe Sheridan had an outstanding season and she is only a sophomore," said her coach, Brian Song. "There are great things to come. She has tremendous speed, is very technical, has great ball control and knows how to put the ball in the net."

Street scored one goal and assisted the winning goal in the Hawks' District V championship win.

Midfield

Katie Arensmeier, River Hill junior. Arensmeier's ball-control skills allowed her to anchor the Hawks' midfield. Her speed and skills in the air gave the Hawks' some scoring punch, as well. She had six goals, including the winning goal in the District V championship, and five assists.

"Katie's great in the air — she can score with her head as well as her foot," said Brian Song. "She has speed and once the ball is on her feet, she can take on anyone and blow by them. Katie has a great presence on the field and knows the game and what to do with the ball."

Danielle Burris, Glenelg senior. A workhorse in the midfield, Burris has earned first-team honors for the second straight year. She was also a Player of the Year nominee. Burris made things happen for Glenelg. Her exceptional technical skills and her tenaciousness made her a presence on the field.

"She's my best player," said Dean Sheridan about Burris, a team captain. "She's the hardest worker on and off the field."

Burris is left-footed, which makes her an even more formidable offensive threat. "She's hard to defend and her throw-ins create another dimension" for Glenelg's offense, added Sheridan.

Morgan Crable, Marriotts Ridge junior. Though she's a natural defender with an "uncanny ability to read an opponent," Crable played wherever Robin Grey needed her this fall. Crable's work in the midfield was a stabilizing factor in the Mustangs' rebuilding year.

"When she is in the midfield, she is essential to our transition game," Grey said. "An unselfish player with the most beautiful touch, she could work the ball up the field by taking players 1v1. Instead, she works with her team to transition the ball up the field."

Crable, who could be an explosive offensive threat as well, has been heavily recruited and is leaning toward playing for a Division I team, Grey said.

Michelle Viegas, Reservoir senior. Viegas missed some games because of a concussion. When she was on the field, Reservoir was a winning team. Her absence was a "huge loss," said Josh Sullivan. "When we had her back in the midfield we were able to make our run" late in the season and advance to the final four in the state playoffs.

"She can feed a ball through the defense, has amazing touch, and can blast shots from the outside. She has been a great soccer player and has had an amazing career," he added.

Her leadership skills were as important to the Gators as her technical skills. "She's been such an asset to our other players. She makes the players around her much better."

Viegas will play for Bridgewater College next season.

Defense

Maria Hochuli, Marriotts Ridge senior. Hochuli, repeating as a first-team defender, was the cornerstone of the Mustangs' defense. She used her speed and knowledge of the game to shut down offensive threats.

"Her presence in the backfield is undeniable," said Robin Grey. "She dominates all aspects of the backfield. Teams constantly struggle to figure out ways to get past Maria."

The Mustangs perfected the offside trap, getting 68 calls this fall. Grey attributes that success to Hochuli's leadership. Grey also attributes Marriotts Ridge's eight shutouts to Hochuli. "Teams don't get off the shots because they can't get past Maria."

Casey Vantucci, Glenelg senior. Dean Sheridan says Vantucci is a true "1v1 lock-down defender," and one of the best Glenelg has had. Opponents just could not get off shots with Vantucci bearing down on them. Casey Vantucci, Glenelg, senior. Dean Sheridan says Vantucci is a true "1v1 lock-down defender," and one of the best Glenelg has had. Opponents just could not get off shots with Vantucci bearing down on them. The Gladiators gave up just 20 goals in 35 games over two years with Vantucci in the back.

A first-team all-county defender last year, as well, Vantucci was also such a dangerous attacking back that she often drew fouls as opponents tried to stop her.

"She attacks the entire field and puts a lot of pressure on the defense. Her ability to carry and move the ball through the midfield and recover and play defense is exceptional," said Sheridan. "I know no one will score on her. They just don't."

Adriana Vitagliano, Atholton senior. Vitagliano took a season off but returned as a senior and had a capstone performance.

"We were so lucky to get Adriana back this year," said Stephanie Stoutenborough. "She is a coach's dream, a tremendous athlete that could play anywhere on the field. She was a solid defender for us this season, but we also looked to her to lead our attack. With Adriana, you get not only a great soccer player, but you also get a great teammate who was always positive and encouraging."

Goalkeepers

Brooke Carey, Glenelg senior.A four-year starter, Carey missed only two games in her career. Though she had a stingy defense in front of her this fall, and only had 67 opportunities, Carey, a captain, posted seven shutouts and saved all but nine shots. Her poise in the goal and her leadership on the field was unmistakable.

Carey leaves with a school-record 35 career shutouts and a state title. Her consistency was a key in Glenelg's two state semifinal appearances and four regional titles.

"She has very good hands," said Dean Sheridan, "and she enjoys contact with the ground — that's an important attribute for a keeper. It allows her to get into position and win balls low."

Carey compiled a 46-18-5 record in that span and gave up 0.7 of a goal on average per game. "With Brooke, I needed to score only one goal and 'd win," said Sheridan. "That's nice."

Amy Weinberg, Atholton, senior. Atholton upset River Hill early in the playoffs and might have gone even further if Weinberg had not been sidelined with a broken collar bone late in the season. All season long, she had kept the Raiders in the game, saving 91% of the shots taken on her.

"Amy was the heart of our team this year," said Stephanie Stoutenborough. "She played with a lot of confidence and she pushed her teammates to believe in themselves. She was a great leader and really motivated the team to play their best.

"We have been very fortunate over the years to have had some great keepers, but Amy is going to be hard to replace. She dominated in the air, making amazing saves, but she was also was very smart and tough to beat on 1v1s."