Arjona Carries Clarksburg to First State Title
In only its third year of existence, the Clarksburg's boys soccer team has earned a state title in a match never to be forgotten.
Photo by: Ed Sheahin
Julio Arjona celebrates after scoring Clarksburg's first of three goals in the State Championship game.
Photo by: Ed Sheahin
Goalkeeper Austin Fiedler's shutout of Hereford was his 4th of the playoffs and 13th of the season.
Photo by: Ed Sheahin
Written by: Ed Sheahin
CATONSVILLE, MD - The game plan was simple. Strike early, strike often, and don't let up. The Clarksburg Coyotes (13-1-3) followed the script just as it had been written.
The Coyotes' had struggled throughout their playoff run to jump out early on opponents, but star performer, senior Julio Arjona--bound for West Virginia--scored six minutes into the game against Baltimore County's Hereford.
Arjona's goal was followed five minutes later by senior Ketch Akum's twenty-yard strike over two Hereford defenders, and the Coyotes would cruise to a 3-0 victory capturing their first Maryland 3A State Championship.
The campus of UMBC is hosting all the boy's and girl's championships over the next four days. But on a foggy rain-filled night, the setting at UMBC Stadium resembled that of a Transylvania castle rather than a rural Baltimore suburb.
Although the dreary environment made it difficult for spectators to follow the action, the Coyotes appeared to relish the boggy field.
When junior Nick Civetti scored on an Arjona miss off Hereford senior goalie Chris Glasgow, just five minutes into the second half, Clarksburg possessed an insurmountable 3-0 lead.
Insurmountable because Clarksburg goalie, senior Austin Fiedler was working on his fourth consecutive playoff shut-out and thirteenth shutout of the season.
"We knew before the season started, we would be in this position," Fielder said. "With Julio (Arjona) returning we were confident. That confidence carried us all season."
Clarksburg was quicker, faster, and the more physical team on this night. Hereford appeared to be over matched by the talented Coyote's.
"We were very aware of their talent," Hereford coach John Rossi said. "We knew we had our work cut-out for us, but I was proud of the way our boy's battled. They played hard all year and I couldn't have been prouder of them."
At 6'5" Fiedler is an imposing figure in goal for Clarksburg, but he gives credit for his success to the defenders in front of him. Seniors Julio Ventura and Henry Reyes limited Hereford to four shots on goal Fiedler would have to defend.
Reyes' performance was extraordinary considering he was sick all day. "This guy was amazing for us tonight," Coyote coach Jeremy Spoales said patting Reyes on his back like a proud father. "He fought through the sickness."
Big time players shine on center stage, and Arjona did just that tonight. With a goal and two assists, he played inspiring soccer and his teammates fed off his enthusiasm.
"There were high expectations for me and great expectations for this team. We were very confident and played like we had all season," Arjona said.
