Bel Air holds off Centennial in overtime, 3-2

Bel Air junior Kelsey Jenkens pushed the ball past a double team, juked past another defender, avoided the goalie and put the ball into the goal to score the game-winning shot in overtime to defeat host Centennial, 3-2 on Monday afternoon in Ellicott City.

“I just really wanted to get it in because all game I was working hard to score and I finally got it passed the goalie,” said Jenkens.  “We always have a good game with Centennial, they are so good.  We’ve had a really good season so far and my teammates have come a long way. I’m really proud of them.”

With the win, the Bobcats improved to 3-0 overall while the Eagles suffered their first loss of the season and fell to 3-1.

Bel Air trailed 2-1 late in the second half before tying to score on a goal by Megan Sketz, who was open in front of the goal and finished the pass from Jenkins.

“The game was well played, it’s the one of the reason we come down here to Centennial is because know we are going to get a good game and it’s a good way to get our season started,” said Bel Air coach Phyllis Hemmes.  

Centennial jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Erica Heaphy scored off an assist by Anna Kelly just three minutes into the game.

Bel Air’s Emily Gryglewski tied the score before halftime, finishing a penalty corner that was hit in by Taylor Klunk.  

Heaphy scored early in the second half, once again giving the Eagles a slim lead.  Centennial’s defense, led by goalie Chrissy DiStefano (12 saves), held the Bobcats at bay for the next ten minutes.

But Sketz’ goal with just over eight minutes left gave Bel Air hope.  In overtime, it was Jenkins amazing effort to win the game for the Bobcats and remain undefeated.

“This was our first game where we didn’t have a shutout and a win,” said Centennial coach Tara Fadrowski.  “The girls just weren’t playing together or talking to each other.”

She added: “Bel Air’s fast breaks are amazing, they have really fast and strong girls that have really good endurance.  So that was our big concern [going into overtime], to maintain possession and when we lost the ball, you see what happened.”