In an era when statistics are used to give depth, breadth and meaning to a sport or an athlete, when it's better to have more for "me" and less for "you," and concentration of single sport is the norm, Zoe Stukenberg is a throwback to a different time.
She's a three-sport athlete who plays for the right reasons — to have fun.
"Zoe's more excited for her teammates to score than for herself," said Marriotts Ridge coach Natalie Gaieski of this year's Columbia Flier/Howard County Times girls lacrosse Player of the Year.
Stukenberg was a key part of a balanced Marriotts Ridge team that overcame is early difficulties and then went on to win the Class 3A/2A state title.
"I didn't expect (to be Player of the Year). I always assumed it went to a senior, but they were nice enough to give it to an underclassman," said the first sophomore to earn the award.
But she certainly doesn't play like a youngster. Stukenberg has started for the Mustangs since her freshman year.
"Honestly, I feel like her personality or something about her causes teams to win," Gaieski said. "Last year, our first year with her, that was our most successful season until this season."
This spring, the Mustangs posted an 18-1 record. Their only loss was to Mt. Hebron, the school Stukenberg would have attended had Marriotts Ridge not been built.
"I always thought I'd play for Hebron, the No. 1 team in the nation," she said. "So at first I was a little disappointed that I wasn't going to be a Viking."
There was no promise that Marriotts Ridge, which opened six years ago, would have a good team.
"But I got there and, wow! I lucked out because I realized this is a new dynasty. This is a team that's going far," said Stukenberg, who also plays soccer and basketball. The latter isn't her sport, she admits.
"It's ugly to see me shoot a basketball. The whole finesse thing — I'm more of a power-type player. I'm not quite a baller."
But it is entirely different on the lacrosse field, where Stukenberg's presence is undeniable.
She helped dominate the midfield with her draw control (65), caused turnovers and ground balls (42).
"I see myself as a player that works hard. My shot isn't the best and my defense is alright, but I really try to get as many ground balls as I can."
Scooping up some of those balls helped her lead the county in draw control.
She also led her team in points (79) with 45 goals and 34 assists.
"Zoe is the individual who wants the ball to score a goal in the last 3 seconds of the game. She rarely shuts down," Gaieski said. "She was the key to our success throughout the playoffs, causing six turnovers and winning pivotal draw controls through our state playoff run."
At one point during the season, it looked like a playoff run was a distant dream. Marriotts Ridge barely beat Glenelg, lost to Mt. Hebron and struggled against Howard.
"After those three games, I thought, Oh, boy, we're done for," Stukenberg said. "We were all a little angry and frustrated."
In effect, the loss to Mt. Hebron turned the county title over to the Vikings. (Marriotts Ridge and Glenelg were co-county champions a year ago.)
But, as the Mustangs were questioning their on-field performance, spring break arrived and Gaieski told the team to take some time off.
"That was the greatest thing. She said when we got back after spring break we were going to have tryouts again," Stukenberg said. "We refocused mentally. We realized after those three games that nothing would be handed us and we had to work for everything."
So, during each tiring drill or each wind sprint at the end of practice, the players remembered back to how it felt to lose to Mt. Hebron.
"We'd think of that feeling and push ourselves through," Stukenberg said. "That loss to Hebron really helped us."
She said she loves the Mt. Hebron-Marriotts Ridge rivalry. "It is so fun to play in those games."
Named to the all-county first team are:
Attack
Taylor Babin, Mt. Hebron senior. Babin finds the back of the net with ease. She led the Vikings with 50 goals this season. She was focused and determined and came up with big goals in big moments. Some of her clutch scoring made the difference between a win and a loss.
"The one thing Taylor doesn't get enough credit for is her ability to pass and see the field," said coach Trish Sullivan.
In her Mt. Hebron career, Babin had 96 goals and 35 assists.
Jenna Boarman, Mt. Hebron senior. Boarman was the playmaker for the Vikings, leading the team and county in assists (43), but she was also capable of scoring as attested by her 35 goals.
"Jenna was by far one of the most intense players on the team but she was able to funnel her passion into more of a poised player," coach Trish Sullivan said. "She excels under pressure and brings a sense of calm to the offense. When it came to tough moments in the game, I wanted the ball in Jenna's hands."
Boarman had 87 goals and 66 assists in her career, and she recently was honored with the P.J. Kesmodel Athlete of the Year award at Mt. Hebron.
Alanna Diffendal, Marriotts Ridge senior. Diffendal played with a grace that made everything look easier that it was.
"She never sweat it, if we were down or off our game or not quite playing well," said coach Natalie Gaieski. "She was real cool and stayed cool and always had that confidence."
As her 154 career goals and 70 career assists attest, Diffendal was the Mustangs' go-to player for four years, "Alanna always had a key role in running our offense and making it work," Gaieski said.
Lauren Groft, Howard senior. A four-year starter, Groft's statistics and value to the team have increased every year culminating in this year's 48 goals and 22 assists.
"Lauren is one of those players that's quiet and tries to do everything right," said coach Alleesha Davidson. "She just wants to be a team player. She wants to pass the ball and do all the things that a good player does. She is so well rounded."
Much of Howard's offense flowed through Groft, who finishes her high school career with 148 goals and 76 assists.
"She was a pleasure to coach," Davidson said.
Kayleigh Hinkle, Glenelg senior. A three-year starter at attack, Hinkle found herself surrounded by younger teammates this season, but helped the team by captaining the attack. Equally dangerous as a scoring threat with either her dominant or non-dominant hand, Hinkle led the Gladiators in goals (51) and assists (41) this season.
She was also invaluable on the draw.
"Kayleigh is particularly good at the self draw and her ability to control the ball off the self draw with one hand," said coach Ginger Kincaid, who calls Hinkle her most complete player. "I think Kayleigh really grew up as a player this year and I am really proud of how she did that."
Hinkle tallied 123 goals and 95 assists in her Glenelg career.
Brittany Jorgenson, Glenelg Country senior. Jorgenson has a knack for finding the net. She led the county with 127 goals, 92 more than her closest teammate and 76 more than the nearest public school player.
"Britt is an amazing player and leader for our team," said coach Paige Walton. "She has always been consistent from her freshman year, but she is much more productive up and around the crease."
An Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference All-Star, Jorgenson finishes her Glenelg Country career with a mind-boggling 255 goals.
Midfield
Brittany Arens, Mt. Hebron senior. Draw possession is critical in girls lacrosse and that's where Arens dominated. She led her team with 38 draw controls. She also pitched in on the offensive and defense ends of the field. She had 38 goals
"Brittany is very smart and very crafty. She has a tremendous ability to read her defender. She's a true basketball player and she thrived off the back-door cut," said coach Trish Sullivan. "She's a work horse and one of those unsung heroes on the field."
In her four years on varsity, Arens produced 67 goals and 25 assists.
Danielle Entrot, Centennial senior. Coach Martie Dyer says Entrot does everything well, but what really makes her stand out is her ability to cut.
"She has some of the best cuts I've seen in lacrosse," Dyer said. "She is unbelievable with her ability to get open. She was our girl that we looked for all of the time."
Entrot responded with 41 goals and 21 assists this year, which brings her career totals to 91 goals and 30 assists.
Meagan Guthrie, Glenelg junior. A pure attacker, Glenelg put Guthrie in the midfield to take advantage of her athletic ability. She often took the draw for the Gladiators.
"Meagan's the kind of player that when a team is not doing what it needs to do, she has the ability to take over," said coach Ginger Kincaid.
Although she prefers to be part of the attack and fit in, Guthrie is capable of being the kind of player that says, "Give me the ball and get out of the way."
When the chips were down and Glenelg needed her to, she went to goal. She hit the back of the net 39 times this season and had 21 assists.
"I'm excited to see how far Meagan's come along in the last few years," Kincaid said.
Laura Maskell, Marriotts Ridge senior. A four-year starter for the Mustangs, Maskell was a threat at either end of the field. She's the one the Mustangs wanted to have the ball in scoring situations. If she didn't score, and got fouled, she was a lock to score on her 8-meter free position. She had 21 goals and 12 assists this season.
She was a smart defender who could read the attackers. "Laura was the first to notice that Mt. Hebron wanted to dish rather than drive," coach Natalie Gaieski said. "I told our team at the banquet, if we had an MVP for post-season play, Laura would be the one to get it."
Maskell had 69 goals and 39 assists in her career at Marriotts Ridge and set the record for career interceptions (22), is tied with Zoe Stukenberg for season interceptions (8) and is second behind Stukenberg in career draw control (108).
Taylor Salandra, Glenelg senior. Salandra has the one gift that can't be taught — speed. She has great foot speed and is very agile, a combination that allows her to play aggressive defense but rarely foul.
"Taylor captains our defense," said coach Ginger Kincaid. "She is a complete player. Even though she thinks of herself as mostly a defender she has been a huge part of our attack this season. …she has such a quick first step that she cannot be stopped by one-on-one defense and she shoots well."
Salandra had 31 goals to go with 23 assists this year, which brings her career marks up to 83-63.
Kincaid expects Salandra to really blossom in college. "Taylor is a work in progress," the coach said.
Defense
Molly Fleming, Marriotts Ridge junior. Other than her speed, there is nothing flashy about Fleming. "Often Molly is overlooked because she does her job," said coach Natalie Gaieski. "She's not necessarily making the big plays but she's shutting down her opponent. She is not letting that girl score."
A basketball player with great footwork, Fleming knocked down many feeds and was a cornerstone to the county's stingiest defense. The Mustangs only gave up 88 goals this season.
Fleming sometimes carried the ball to the offensive end of the field and she scored four goals and one assist.
"Next year we might use her as a midfielder and get her shooting more," Gaieski said.
Anne Zabel, Marriotts Ridge junior. Strong and a dogged defender, Zabel was a presence on the field.
Zabel does well under pressure and can make a pass with the pressure on. Marriotts Ridge's offense often started with Zabel bringing the ball up field from the defensive end. She had five goals and two assists this year.
"Anne's just a beast," said coach Natalie Gaieski. "She's always knocking the ball down. I know that nobody's getting by her to score a goal, and they are lucky if they do.
"Offensive wins games, but this season it proves that defense wins championships."
Goalkeeper
Maddy Fisher, Mt. Hebron sophomore. Fisher is extremely technically sound as a goalkeeper. She's agile, with quick hands. When she makes the stop, she has a tremendous clear. She's solid all-around.
"It's hard to point out a clear weakness," said coach Trish Sullivan, who called Fisher "the momentum changer of our team."
Calm under pressure, Fisher was the back wall of the Vikings' defense. She made 103 saves and led the county in save percentage (54.79).
"Maddy plays much older than she is," Sullivan said. "She works hard and puts in so much time to improve her game."