Simply put, the Pikesville High School boys’ soccer team pulled off a shocker last Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers came into the Class 1A state championship game against Pocomoke High School from Worcester County with a record of four wins, eight losses and one tie.
Pocomoke, meanwhile, was 12-4.
On paper, it looked like a mismatch.
On the field, it sure wasn’t.
Dennis Nazarov scored only 28 seconds into the game as Pikesville controlled play for long stretches and earned the school’s first state championship in soccer – boys or girls – with a 1-0 victory over Pocomoke at Loyola University’s Ridley Athletic Complex.
Pikesville’s only other appearance in the state final in school history came three years ago when North Carroll handed it a 1-0 loss, also in Class 1A. That’s why this victory proved so meaningful.
“We just wanted to do it this time,” Nazarov said.
The Panthers went just 1-8-1 in the regular season, but they played a very tough schedule and every team makes the state regional playoffs.
In the playoffs, Pikesville came out of a South Region which had only four teams but the Panthers then beat the top two seeds and advanced.
The team first scored a 1-0 victory over Chesapeake Science Point from Anne Arundel County before routing Reginald Lewis (Baltimore City), 5-0. That win put Pikesville into the state final four where the Panthers scored a 3-2 overtime victory versus Fort Hill, the West Region’s top seed, on Nov. 12.
Then came the state final, and Nazarov’s early goal, which combined with Pikesville’s defense, helped the Panthers earn a championship.
“It was an exciting game,” said Pikesville Coach Toluwaloju Runsewe. “The defense set the tone. It really gives you a peace of mind when you know you have a strong back line, and you can rely on them when a team is under attack.”
On defense, Tamer Boumater and Alex Prokopenko broke up several plays as the Warriors kept trying to send long balls towards the box. Goalie Alex Mikler made only one save, thanks to the defense, but often came out and broke up scoring chances on key occasions, especially late.
Ori Rattner added several big plays, including one that may have saved the game with under 11 minutes left. Pocomoke’s Dylan Peterson got around the defense and momentarily faced an open goal before Rattner raced over and stopped him from shooting.
Pikesville simply kept frustrating a potent Pocomoke offense. “We did what we had to do,” Boumater said.
That’s also why the early goal proved to be the difference. Ben Romalis started the play by crossing the ball from the right side toward Nazarov in the middle. The ball bounced a few times, and Nazarov fired a left-footed shot into the right corner to shock Pocomoke only 28 seconds into the game.
“We talked about which team was going to be ready first and not in awe of the tournament situation,” said Pocomoke Coach Alan Byrd. “Obviously, it wasn’t us. We’re still staring at the lights, and they got the early goal.”
That goal held up the rest of the way as a delighted Pikesville team celebrated when time ran out. The Panthers mobbed each other on the field, and several players got together and lifted Nazarov on their shoulders, briefly carrying him around.
“It’s the greatest feeling when you know you won the state championship for your school,” Nazarov said.
Jeff Seidel is a Baltimore-based freelance writer.
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