Bruins Rally For Fifth Straight State Title

After conceding the first four goals of the 4A state girls lacrosse championship game on May 22, it would have been easy for Broadneck to panic.

Nothing was going their way, and their long string of titles was in distinct jeopardy.

Instead, they refocused and reminded themselves: this isn’t us.

The next 36 minutes of play was very much Broadneck, as the Bruins overturned that deficit and held off Urbana 8-6 at Stevenson University’s Mustang Stadium to win the program’s fifth straight championship.

“These girls are just resilient, and we’ve known that all year,” said Broadneck coach Katy Kelley. “Lacrosse is a game like basketball; 4-0 is nothing to worry about in the first quarter. In the fourth quarter, maybe, but we played quarter-to-quarter, and we wanted to just play like Broadneck.”

Normally playing provider and draw specialist, Ceci Facciponti scored three times and assisted on the eventual game-winning goal. Nora Lopes and Savannah Libby both netted twice, while Sienna Miller had a goal and an assist. Raleigh Kerst had two assists.

The Bruins made their headway from gaining 8-meter free position restarts. Half of their goals came from that situation, and it was a matter of sacrificing some physical contact in order to help the team get into a better spot.

“My body was on the grass a lot, but it was kind of just about getting possession,” Facciponti said. “I definitely capitalized on knowing the way they played. I just tried to do it for my teammates. We were just there for each other more after the first quarter. We pulled together, talked to each other, and it was just about believing it.”

For the first 12 minutes, it looked like the problems that plagued the Bruins in their narrow semifinal win over Quince Orchard were hanging around again: lack of focus, letting in soft goals, and an overall lack of crisp play.

Goalie Molly Robison described the difference in mindset that helped her, and the team, resettle after a rocky first period.

“I have two completely different mindsets, and one’s in the game and one’s not at all. I feel like the past game, I felt like I was in the one that wasn’t in the game at all, and not really understanding that I was in the game, I need to focus,” Robison said. “After that first quarter, when everything went in, I just locked in – I’ll get in my head a little bit and tell myself things, and I know that’s when I’m not in the game. When my mind goes blank, that’s when I’m locked in.”

The team followed both Robison’s lead and the team mantra of “Just be Broadneck.” After falling behind 4-0, the Bruins tied it up in the second quarter. Urbana netted to retake the lead just before halftime, but the Hawks would score only one more time.

Instead, Broadneck went to work. Libby scored her second of the night from a free position, and then Lopes did the same with 47 seconds left in the third to give the Bruins the lead for the first, and final, time of the game. Goals from Miller and Facciponti iced the game, though Urbana got one late on.

“We work hard collectively as coaches, and the girls do a lot to build us, and not always focus on other people,” Kelley said. “We work hard, and we do things that are fun to help us stay connected. Our motto is, ‘Just be Broadneck.’ We have to worry about us getting better, us being prepared, and having humble confidence in that.”

Anticipating a dynasty is a fool’s errand, but that’s what Broadneck’s girls lacrosse program has become. As the seniors looked back at their completed high school careers, with hindsight, they can see the signs were always there.

“I don’t think I would expect it (coming into high school),” Miller said. “I wouldn’t put it past us, because I knew coming into the program that we have a great coach, we have great players, and it’s an overall successful program. But I think I’m so lucky to be a part of it.”

In total, the Bruins are saying goodbye to 13 seniors — Miller, Kerst, Libby, Katelyn Kearns, Faith Everett, Cayman Holmes, Katelyn Curley, Makayla Myers, Abbie Morris, Harper Jacobs, Gabby King, Bailee Kungis and Izzy Lunay.