May 16, 2008 — The mighty Vikings have fallen

Deep in its heart, Viking Nation knew it.

The Mount Hebron girls’ lacrosse team’s time at the absolute apex of national lacrosse was about to end this year. And with the suddenness of a Bosica shot, a Nelson sprint, or a Frande curl, it was all over on Wednesday.

Oddly enough, the ultimate victor this year, the team that ended Hebron’s 10-year run of dominance over Howard County and state titles, was a team whose school is located less than four miles from the Vikings’ den. Ellicott City Centennial (Md.), a team with a Hebron alumna as its head coach, walked away with a 10-9 win in the Class 3A/2A South final of the state tournament.

How big of an upset was it? In the scheme of things, not much; Mount Hebron had already fallen to the Eagles earlier this season, and had also lost to Moorestown (N.J.), Bel Air John Carroll (Md.), and Glenelg (Md.).

The implications of this loss can only be compared or contrasted with to the body of work Mount Hebron and coaches Chris Robinson and Brooke Kuhl-McClelland had built the last 12 years: 11 straight titles, a 103-game winning streak, countless players at the next level.

Mind you, the players and coaches of Mount Hebron did a splendid job with what they had this season: a team with one senior and a student population decimated by redistricting. The Vikings worked hard, played hard, and were a mere draw control away from taking down Moorestown in their annual showcase match.

Kuhl-McClelland told me after that game that next year’s senior class was going to be a real asset. I don’t doubt that for a second.

Tags: Lacrosse