The last time Broadneck High won the Anne Arundel County championship Ray Lewis was patrolling the gridiron at middle linebacker for the Ravens, the Orioles had completed a 10th straight losing season and George W. Bush was President.
The year was 2007 and the Bruins defeated South River for its first league crown. Monday evening, the top-ranked Broadneck made it two with a 2-0 decision over No. 4 Crofton at Southern.
Faith Everett and Katelyn Kearns, both sophomores, tallied in the first half for Broadneck (15-o overall). The Bruins’ defense recorded its eighth shutout.
Broadneck’s players were toddlers in 2007.
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“Whoa,” laughed Kearns.
Shannon Hanratty was a senior ace defender on the Bruins’ 2007 Anne Arundel championship.
Monday evening under a light misty rain, she received the regular season and championship game plaque as Broadneck coach.
“I can’t get enough of this group,” said Hanratty, who starred at Salisbury University before eventually returning to her alma-mater in 2019 after assistant stops at Salisbury, Severna Park and Old Mill. “I’m going to be distraught when they graduate. I’m excited for our future, sure, but this group is so rare.”
The Bruins have been dominant this season with a signature 5-1 win over then-No. 1 Archbishop Spalding. Broadneck, which has won all 15 matches by at least two goals, defeated Crofton, 5-1, in late September.
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The Cardinals (11-2), in just their second varsity season, were ready for the rematch Monday. Their defense, behind goalie Ryleigh Osborne, didn’t relent against each Broadneck assault at the box…except two.
Osborne (nine saves) was exposed on the ground, and Everett put a shot into the far corner of the goal for the game’s first tally with 7 minutes, 31 seconds left in the opening period.
The Bruins got their third penalty corner late in the first half, and Kearns knocked the ball in off a rebound.
“I think it relieved a lot of stress,” said Everett. “We still knew we had to work for the rest, but it definitely made it not as stressful and like we could take a breath.”
Crofton had a chance to breakthrough after two green cards on Broadneck, for a two-player up opportunity with four minutes left in regulation. The Bruins circled the wagons and kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard.
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“There they were again, relying on each other, talking to each other, making sure they were calm under pressure,” said Hanratty.
Hanratty said the Bruins haven’t focused on their so-far perfect run this season.
“We’ve kept a pretty good level head when it comes to our competitive mindset because we’ve been that underdog before,” said Hanratty. “We’ve been an underdog for a very long time.”
Senior midfielder Maya Everett said Hanratty and the Bruin coaching staff have set the tone.
“Their motto ‘all gas, no brakes,’ has been really a driving force for everybody,” said Everett, who will play for the University of Maryland next fall. “Their attitudes have made our attitudes.”
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It’s full speed ahead for Broadneck, whose pursuit of perfection continues Monday with a Class 4A East Region home semifinal against South River.
Broadneck last won a state championship in 2002.
“We knew halfway through the season everybody was going to bring their best against us,” said Hanratty. “We haven’t allowed ourselves to overlook any team…our goal is to play our game and do it our way and good things will happen.”
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
at Southern
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NO. 1 BROADNECK 2, NO. 4 CROFTON 0
Crofton 0 0 0 0 - 0
Broadneck 1 1 0 0 - 2
Goals: Broadneck - Faith Everett, Katelyn Kearns
Saves: Crofton - Ryleigh Osborne 9; Broadneck - Mia Moody 4
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