Emma Penczek scores game-winning goal as No. 3 Manchester Valley girls lacrosse defeats No. 9 Century, 6-5

With just 29.6 seconds left to go and Manchester Valley and Century girls lacrosse locked in a tie game, everyone in the stadium knew the ball would be in the stick of Emma Penczek.

However, as soon as the whistle blew for the restart, the star junior gave the ball up to Natalie Burmeister — but not for long.

Burmeister quickly fed it back to a cutting Penczek, and the reigning county Player of the Year came through for the Mavericks yet again. The give-and-go play turned into the game-winning goal as the Mavericks walked away with the 6-5 victory Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to 27 games and handing Century its first loss of the season.

“We didn’t think we’d have a chance at the backdoor cut there,” said Penczek, who finished with three goals and an assist. “Shoutout to my teammates for executing because we actually had several options open.”

Penczek’s goal completed the comeback as the Mavericks (8-0) erased a two-goal deficit with a 3-0 run during the game’s final seven minutes.

“I told them to just play confidently, help each other out and communicate,” Manchester Valley coach Shelly Brezicki said. “Recognize what they’re taking away, but also recognize what that leaves open and utilize that.”

Despite both teams scoring more than 13 goals a game this season, the Mavericks and Knights were locked in a defensive battle after a first half that ended in a 1-1 tie. Despite the scoring frustrations on both sides, Brezicki and Knights coach Becky Groves could hang their hats on the defensive effort as two of the most explosive offenses in Maryland were held in check in large part thanks to tremendous play by their goalies.

“Once we all settled down and got going, it gave me confidence,” Mavericks goalie Josie Colender said. “We all had each other’s backs.”

Brezicki was extremely impressed with the mental toughness of her freshman in the game’s tightest moments. Colender finished with eight saves.

“We talk about having the memory of a goldfish,” Brezicki said. “You may give up a goal, but we forget about it and move on to the next play. She did a tremendous job at that tonight.”

As the scoring picked up in the second half with quick goals from Manchester Valley’s Addison Myers and Century’s Natalie Opatovsky, the back-and-forth battle fans expected finally came to fruition.

“A halftime score of 1-1 doesn’t happen very often,” Penczek said. “But we knew going in this was going to be a tough battle against a good team, so we needed to respond.”

As the game wore on, it became clear whoever did the little, gritty things would have the extra edge needed for the victory.

Century’s Delaney Sandbank found Opatovsky for a goal that broke a 3-3 tie. Sandbank then rebounded her own missed free position shot to give Century (6-1) another possession, one that ended with a second goal by Opatovsky.

With time running out, the Mavericks got gritty themselves, enough to draw back even. Brezicki sent Penczek, Meyer and anyone else she could at the ball to force a turnover. As the Knights worked to handle the pressure, Penczek intercepted a pass, starting the fast break as the Mavericks took the momentum back in what seemed like mere seconds.

“Being versatile and being able to be a player that can make a play all over the field is great,” Penczek said. “Making those little plays like picking up a ground ball just helps me build confidence going into the next moment or next play.”

Penczek’s final goal, followed by a final interception of a Century pass, was enough to seal the deal as the Mavericks came from behind for the narrow victory.

Still undefeated and once again proving to be the team to beat in the county, many in navy and white rejoiced as the Mavericks edged out a close one at home. The win showed that no matter what kind of game they found themselves in, they have not just the players, but the confidence to walk away with a hard-fought W.

“This game was important for us,” Brezicki said. “We learned from everything and will grow and will get better. There’s a high likelihood we’ll see this team again and when we do, we’ll be ready.”

Manchester Valley — 1 0 2 3 — 6

Century — 1 0 2 2 — 5

Goals: MV— Emma Penczek 3, Addison Myer 1, Natalie Burmeister 1, Emelyn Scott 1 ; C— Natalie Opatovsky 2, Delaney Sanbank 2, Marley Carfine. Assists: MV— Natalie Burmeister 2, Emma Penczek 1, Haylee Bittinger 1 ; C— Madison Preitz 1, Natalie Opatovsky 1